Jason Richardson scored a season high 22 points to lead the visiting Orlando Magic to a 104-97 win over the Sacramento Kings Sunday night.
All-Star center Dwight Howard found himself in foul trouble all night. Dwight would only score 5 points and grab 4 rebounds both season lows.
“I got Dwight a lot of rest in the first half. That was a (good) coaching move,” laughed Van Gundy, who received 42 points from his productive bench.
Howard who entering the game was averaging 20.3 points and 15.9 rebounds per game understood the coaching decision to sit him most of the game.
“It’s smart. He didn’t want me to pick up any more cheap fouls, especially early in the game,” Howard said. “He would rather have me sitting than in the game and having to be tentative.”
Glen Davis scored 20 points followed by Ryan Anderson’s 19 and Von Wafer’s 12.
Anderson couldn’t find a rhythm until the third quarter where he would score 11 points picking up the slack of no Howard.
“These types of games are a tell-all for a team when you have your best player in foul trouble,” said Anderson.
Tyreke Evans led all scorers with 28 points to go along with eight assists. DeMarcus Cousins also found himself in foul trouble finished with 16 points and 10 rebounds.
This game was the beginning of a four game road trip for Orlando. The Magic will play at the Portland Trailblazers Tuesday night.
