MIAMI. —Dwight Howard’s dominant play led the Orlando Magic
to their fourth consecutive victory, a 106-81 home win over the Washington
Wizards on Saturday.
Howard scored a season-high 31 points, grabbed 16 rebounds
and blocked three shots to help the Magic (4-2) take over second place in the
Southeast Division after a 0-2 start.
Orlando built a 58-39 halftime lead and blew the game open in
the third quarter when Howard scored 12 points.
"Dwight was outstanding," Magic coach Stan van Gundy told
reporters. "I’ve seen him have numbers like that before but I’m not sure he’s
played a better game since I’ve been here."
Van Gundy was especially pleased with his center’s patience.
"He wasn’t forcing anything, he was making great plays and
passes and letting the game come to him. Two turnovers in 35 minutes ... .It was
a real great game for him and he just looked like a more mature professional guy
down in the low post."
Mickael Pietrus added 18 points and Keith Bogans had 13, all
in the first half.
Bogans also drew praise from Van Gundy for his defensive
effort in the first two periods.
"I didn’t do anything different," Bogans told reporters. "I do what I do
every game. I come out, try to keep the intensity going and try to stay up in
guy’s faces."
