Wednesday, February 09, 2011

Magic outlast Sixers

Philadelphia - At the end of the day basketball is all about making shots and the Sixers struggled offensively all night Wednesday en route to losing a measuring-stick game to Eastern Conference power Orlando.

Dwight Howard dominated inside to the tune of 30 points and 17 rebounds as the Magic outlasted Philadelphia, 99-95, in front of 12,091 at Wells Fargo Center.

Howard, who came into the game shooting 57.9 from the free throw line, also made an uncharacteristic 14-of-19 from the charity stripe to help Orlando secure the victory. The entire Sixers team attempted just 22 from the free throws in the contest.

Philadelphia was basically a two-man team on the offensive end, Andre Iguodala early and Lou Williams late. Iguodala finished 9-of-17 from the floor with with 21 points and eight assists, while Williams had a team-high 23 points on 9-of-15 shooting, including 18 of the Sixers' final 24 points in the game.

The rest of Doug Collins' team converted just 19-of-56 shots, a miserable 33.9 percent. Jodie Meeks had 17 points but was just 5-of-13 overall and 2-of-9 from long range. Jrue Holiday continued to slump, netting just three points in 29 minutes of action.

J.J. Redick was one of six Orlando players to score in double figures, logging 13 points, including two big buckets late. Chester native Jameer Nelson, the former St. Joseph's star who was celebrating his 29th birthday, finished with 12 points and eight assists.

Things won't get any easier for the Sixers. The NBA's best team, San Antonio, visits Wells Fargo Center on Friday.

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