The Orlando Magic eye a third straight win this evening when they welcome the Philadelphia 76ers to Amway Center.
Orlando has started to play its best basketball of the season, yet the last two games it hasn't had to rely on All-Star center Dwight Howard. On Monday, Jason Richardson had 17 points and was one of six Magic players to score in double figures, as Orlando took down the Minnesota Timberwolves, 102-89.
Jameer Nelson, J.J. Redick and Hedo Turkoglu finished with 14 points apiece and Ryan Anderson added 13 for the Magic, who have won six of their last eight games.
"We're sharing the ball a lot more and doing a lot of good things on defense," explained Richardson of the Magic's recent success.
Howard, meanwhile, scored 11 points to go with seven boards in the victory. It was the second straight 11-point game for the Magic superstar, who insists he is not frustrated despite comments to the contrary over the weekend.
"I just want everybody on my team to have confidence in me. I don't think that's bad ... it's not saying, 'Me, me,'" Howard said.
Orlando will conclude a three-game homestand on Friday against Milwaukee. It is 10-6 at home on the year.
Philadelphia has also won two in a row following a win over the hapless Charlotte Bobcats on Monday. Lou Williams scored 23 points and fellow reserve Thaddeus Young added 20 to help the 76ers get past the struggling Bobcats, 98-89.
Nikola Vucevic contributed to the Sixers' solid bench effort with eight points and 10 rebounds, while Jrue Holiday scored 19 points in the victory, Philly's second straight.
Leading by five entering the final minute, the Sixers sealed the win with an inside bucket by Vucevic and deep three-pointer by Williams. The win was Philly's first in Charlotte since January 26, 2008.
"Williams hitting that big three against the [shot] clock was the dagger," Sixers head coach Doug Collins said.
The Sixers beat the Magic back on January 30 to snap a three-game losing streak to them. Philly, which has won just twice in the last 13 meetings in this series, has lost seven of its last eight in Orlando.
