Lewis, Battie lift Orlando
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Hedo Turkoglu and Rashard Lewis scored 20 points apiece and the Magic overcame Dwight Howard's foul trouble to beat the Philadelphia 76ers, 98-88, last night in Orlando, Fla.
With All-Star center Howard limited to only four minutes in the first half, the Magic got strong performances from former Celtic Tony Battie and Lewis, who picked up the rebounding slack as Orlando won its third straight game.
Thaddeus Young scored 19 points for Philadelphia, which placed four players in double figures. The Sixers cut a 23-point deficit to 6 in the fourth quarter but couldn't draw closer.
Howard was called for two fouls in the first two minutes and was replaced by Battie, who had 6 points in the first quarter as the Magic built a 30-16 lead. Howard started the second quarter but quickly picked up his third foul and was taken out.
Howard stayed out of foul trouble in the third quarter and the Magic opened up a 23-point lead. Orlando, which normally has Jameer Nelson and Turkoglu work the pick-and-roll late in games, went to Nelson and Howard instead. Philadelphia fouled Howard repeatedly, but he hit only two of eight free throws down the stretch as the Sixers stayed close.
Kobe Bryant scored 27 points, and the Los Angeles Lakers used a late 22-0 run to beat the Clippers, 106-88, Wednesday night at ![]()


