(Sports Network) - Back spasms continue to plague Dwight Howard as the Orlando
Magic prepare to face the Washington Wizards without their All-Star center in
the nation's capital.
Howard was scheduled to travel with the Magic to Washington but has been
listed as doubtful as Orlando shoots for its 10th straight win and its second
consecutive season sweep over the Wizards.
The big man missed his third game over the past two weeks with the problem on
Monday but Orlando cruised to its second straight win anyway, routing Detroit
in Central Florida, 119-89.
Jason Richardson scored 22 points and J.J. Redick added 20 in that one for the
Magic, who set a season-high in points scored despite being without their top
player, Howard, the injured Hedo Turkoglu (facial fracture) and the suspended
Chris Duhon.
Jameer Nelson added 18 points and nine assists while Glen Davis went for 16
points and 16 rebounds to pick up some of the slack in Howard's absence. Ryan
Anderson returned from a three-game absence due to a sprained ankle to
contribute 14 points.
With the win Orlando pulled even with idle Atlanta at 34-23 for the fifth slot
in the Eastern Conference, one game behind No. 3 Indiana. It was the second
straight victory for the Magic on the heels of their first five-game losing
streak in more than five years.
Magic coach Stan Van Gundy, still the focus of headlines after saying last
week that Howard had asked he be fired, said the lockout-shortened season,
with so many games packed so closely together, doesn't look interminable any
more.
"There are going to be ups and downs with nine games to go," he said. "But I
like the level we've played at the last two games and hopefully it will
continue."
Duhon, who was suspended for one game for conduct detrimental to the team,
should be available tonight.
The Wizards, meanwhile, snapped a five-game skid on Monday by topping the only
team worse then them in the standings, the lowly Charlotte Bobcats.
Seven different Wizards finished in double figures as Washington dominated the
Bobcats 113-85 at Time Warner Cable Arena.
Jordan Crawford led the way with 20 points and Cartier Martin followed closely
behind with 19. James Singleton poured in 18 points and grabbed 12 rebounds,
while John Wall scored just two points but did hand out 12 assists for the
Wizards.
"It always feels good to win," said Martin after the win. "The starters came
out and set the tone and the bench came in and we played well tonight."
The Sports Network