Sunday evening the Orlando Magic fans got a taste of what life might be without All-Star center Dwight Howard, and it wasn’t pretty.
Ty Lawson lead the Denver Nuggets with 25 points in a 104-101 victory over the Magic.
“It’s a momentum game for us if we can get it rolling into the playoffs,” Lawson said post game.
Jameer Nelson led Orlando with 27 points, followed by Ryan Anderson with 20 and Glen Davis chipped in 18.
This was Orlando’s third straight loss.
Howard only missed his 8th game in his 8-year career Sunday. Magic coach Stan Van Gundy has accused Mavericks Brendan Hayword of jabbing Howard in the back Friday night causing the back spasms that sidelined the defending defensive player of the year.
The Magic couldn’t make stops on the defensive end and a lot of that had to do with the fact Howard wasn’t in the game.
“When you look at it, we couldn’t stop them at all,” Van Gundy said. “We could not get a stop on any situation. It was a very frustrating night.”
A JJ Redick three point play cut the deficit to 99-97. After both teams exchanged baskets Denver’s Andre Miller hit 1 of 2 free throws.
Jason Richardson heaved a shot up but it didn’t go down.
Eight of the Magic’s last 13 opponents are all playing for playoff spots, it should be an exciting end to a roller coaster season.
Orlando will travel to play the Detroit Pistons Tuesday night, tip off set for 7:30pm.
