Howard scores 27, Magic beat Pacers 85-81

Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard dunks against the Indiana Pacers in the second half of an NBA basketball game in Indianapolis, Saturday, Feb. 4, 2012. Orlando won 85-81. Howard led Orlando in scoring with 27 points. (AP Photo/Tom Strickland)

February 4, 2012

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INDIANAPOLIS—Dwight Howard had 27 points and eight rebounds to lead the Orlando Magic to an 85-81 win over the Indiana Pacers on Saturday night.

Danny Granger had 19 points and seven rebounds and Tyler Hansbrough had 17 points and seven rebounds for the Pacers, who have lost two of three to the Magic in less than two weeks.

Jason Richardson scored 17 points and Ryan Anderson scored 12 for the Magic, who have won three straight.

Granger made a 3-pointer to make it 83-81, but Granger was called for a foul on the Magic's next trip down the floor and Anderson went to the line with 4.2 seconds left.

The Pacers had the chance to tie the game earlier. Granger scored to make it 80-77, then the Magic missed a shot and Granger missed a 3-pointer that would have tied the game.

On the rebound, Granger fouled Hedo Turkoglu and Turkoglu was then called for a technical when he tossed the ball down the floor and into the stands. Granger made his shot, but Turkoglu made one of his two to make it 81-78.

The Magic climbed to a 12-point lead midway through the third quarter.

A slight scuffle broke out late in the third quarter. Granger was getting ready to inbound the ball in front of the Magic's bench when Quentin Richardson, who was in the game at the time, appeared to confront Granger.

It escalated when Richardson shoved Granger and Hansbrough and Clark exchanged shoves. Technicals were called on Granger and Richardson, then a two more on Hansbrough and Clark.

Richardson was then ejected from the game after picking up a second technical.

The Magic played without Jameer Nelson for the fifth straight game. Nelson didn't travel with the team to Indianapolis and is listed day-to-day with concussion-like symptoms.

NOTES: Pacers C Jeff Foster didn't play for the eleventh straight game because of a sore lower back. Pacers G George Hill was out with a chip fracture on his left ankle. With the Super Bowl in Indianapolis this weekend, actor Adam Sandler and rapper 50 Cent were in attendance Saturday night. . The Orlando Magic couldn't book any rooms in Indianapolis this weekend because of the Super Bowl. The team was forced to stay just outside of Cincinnati, in Covington Ky. and then flew to Indianapolis Saturday afternoon.