It wasn’t a particular challenging match if you compare it to Sunday’s victory against the Los Angeles Lakers. But that didn’t mean the Magic didn’t need to bring their A game Wednesday night. After a showdown at the Amway Center, the Orlando Magic beat the Washington Wizards 101-76 without much of a problem.
With 32 points and 10 rebounds, Howard helped the team reach the top once again. Not only superman showcased his skills Wednesday night, Jason Richardson scored 16 points and Brandon Bass had 15 points followed by 11 rebounds. Ryan Anderson also helped out with 14 points and eight rebounds off the bench.
It was a slow start for the Orlando team. Washington dominated most of the 10 minutes of the first quarter until Ryan Anderson stepped up to shoot three and help the Magic catch up with team that is now a brand new home for former Orlando Magic player Rashard Lewis. Lewis did not play on Wednesday due to an injury.
Second quarter started with three more from Anderson for the tie followed by Howard with the assist of Gilbert Arenas. With 5 minutes left, it was a goodbye trail and hello lead. Orlando closed the quarter 9 points ahead and headed to the locker room ready to put the same effort into the second half.
Which they did…
Only a few days before Dwight Howard takes off to play in the All Start Game in Los Angeles, critics expected a laid back attitude. That did not happen. He paired up with Jason Richardson to rock the Amway center and bring fans to their feet in the third quarter. In 12 minutes the pair scored a combined 29 points, leaving the Wizards trailing in the dust. They closed the quarter 25 points ahead on Washington who struggled to comprehend what had happened to the lead they had built in the beginning of the game.
The Wizard didn’t have a lot going on. With Lewis on the bench, it was up to John Wall to bring the morale back, but it didn’t happen. His 27 points and 5 rebounds proved insufficient to stop the Magic from losing the game.
“Our effort and our intensity, everything we have to do, we have to do the same way. Be consistent with what we do,” said Magic Center Howard. “That’s the only way we’re going to win the championship, being consistent every night. The last two games have been ok as far as the effort. But we’ve got to continue to do it.”
The focus is now turned to the NBA all Start game this Sunday. The Magic will practice without Howard until Tuesday. Orlando doesn’t play again until next Wednesday against the Sacramento Kings at home.
Here is the breakdown of last night’s stats:
| Washington | Orlando | |
| Points | 76 | 101 |
| FG Made-Attempted | 29-83 (.349) | 38-84 (.452) |
| 3P Made-Attempted | 3-13 (.231) | 7-21 (.333) |
| FT Made-Attempted | 15-23 (.652) | 18-21 (.857) |
| Rebounds (Offensive-Total) | 12-47 | 9-47 |
| Assists | 8 | 22 |
| Fast Break Points | 16 | 10 |
| Largest Lead | 7 | 29 |
By Fernanda Barros
