Howard, Magic silence Thunder in blowout
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Dwight Howard was dominant in leading the Orlando Magic to an easy 111-88 win over an undermanned visiting Oklahoma City Thunder yesterday.
"There's got to be a consistency to what we do," Orlando coach Stan Van Gundy told reporters. "We've got to try to be that team every night."
Despite shooting just 36 percent through the first three quarters, the Thunder trailed by only 10 points on the strength of Kevin Durant's 20 points.
The Magic held Durant to three points in the final period to finally pull away.
"Their defense was smothering," Thunder coach Scott Brooks admitted. "They made us take tough shots and it seemed like every shot was contested."
The Thunder were without Kendrick Perkins and Nate Robinson, who were acquired from the Boston Celtics, as well as Nazr Mohammed from Charlotte, and were unable to keep pace with the Magic in the fourth quarter.
Howard tied a season high with 40 points, 10 in each quarter, while pulling down 15 rebounds and blocking six shots.
"I actually left him in to get 40," Van Gundy added. "It may be the first time I've ever done that, but he was so close and I said we'll give him one more possession."
Jason Richardson hit five three pointers and scored 17 points for the Magic and J.J. Redick scored 16 points off the bench including nine points in the fourth quarter.
Russell Westbrook scored 18 points for the Thunder and James Harden added 17.
