Sports

NBA

Howard provides key play for Magic

Associated Press
Published November 29, 2005

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BOSTON - Before the game, Doc Rivers spoke glowingly of Orlando forward Dwight Howard. A few hours later, Howard made the Celtics coach's words come true.

Jameer Nelson scored nine of his 16 points in the final 9 minutes, 52 seconds of the fourth quarter, and Howard blocked Mark Blount's potential tying shot with 12 seconds left Monday night, helping the Magic beat the Celtics 87-83 for their fourth straight win.

Howard had 10 points and 10 rebounds, shooting just 2-for-3 from the field as he battled double teams all night. Despite his offensive struggles, he made the key defensive play.

Orlando led 83-81 when Blount took a pass in the lane, but Howard got a piece of it before the shot could be released.

"Some nights it's not going to be there for you on the offensive end," Howard said. "I knew he had to go up with it, so I just wanted to get that block."

Steve Francis led the Magic with 19 points and DeShawn Stevenson had 11. Howard made 6-of-12 free throws and had two blocks.

"He has the skill of (Tim) Duncan and the athletic ability of (Kevin) Garnett at this age," Francis said of Howard, who turns 20 on Dec.8. "He's on the way up."

Before the game, Rivers said Howard's skills reminded him of former San Antonio star David Robinson.

"I feel honored that somebody said I remind them of one of the great players of the game," Howard said. "I just want to get there. I want to be a great player. I just feel honored that Doc Rivers thinks I remind him of some great player."

Ricky Davis led the Celtics with 22 points, and Paul Pierce had 16 points and 13 rebounds.

The Celtics were looking for consecutive wins for the first time this season. Boston had won the last eight home meetings against the Magic.

MAVERICKS 93, RAPTORS 91: Dallas' Jason Terry hit a running layup at the buzzer as league-worst Toronto lost its fifth straight. Dallas won its fourth straight road game and beat the Raptors for the fourth straight time.

HEAT 107, KNICKS 94: Dwyane Wade scored 33 points as host Miami snapped a two-game losing streak and beat New York for the fifth straight time. Stephon Marbury scored 19 points to lead the Knicks, who have lost four of six.

NETS 101, NUGGETS 92: Vince Carter scored 25 and Richard Jefferson 24 for visiting New Jersey. The Nuggets' Kenyon Martin scored 26 points against his former team before being ejected with 65 seconds left. Denver lost Carmelo Anthony to a sprained ankle just 1:09 into the game. X-rays were negative.

WARRIORS 99, HORNETS 83: Baron Davis had 17 points and nine assists in his first game against his former team, and host Golden State won its third straight and fourth in five games.

MAVERICKS: Dallas re-signed free-agent swingman Adrian Griffin, who averaged 2.2 points in 69 games with Chicago last season.

SENTENCED: Calvin Darden, a stockbroker who swindled Latrell Sprewell of $300,000, was sentenced to four to 12 years in prison and ordered to repay almost $6-million that he stole from securities firms and investors.

[Last modified November 29, 2005, 02:15:28]

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