Orlando Magic 102, Washington Wizards 95

With the Magic having been off for five days, and the Wizards coming off a tough 119-118 loss at Milwaukee the previous night, Washington still gave the rested Magic quite a battle despite an early 17 point Magic lead. Ultimately, clutch three-point shooting from the Magic, especially in the second half when they made 10 of their 15 three-pointers on the game, along with balanced scoring with seven Magic players in double figures, enabled the Magic to hold off the Wizards 102-95 despite 18 Magic turnovers. The game featured a heated skirmish in the fourth quarter, as the Magic's Jason Richardson and Wizards' PF Trevor Booker exchanged heated words and nearly came to blows when Booker grabbed a rebound after a missed layup by Richardson. Double technical fouls were assessed.

Ryan Anderson led the Magic with 23 points, 15 rebounds, and 3 assists. Dwight Howard also achieved a double-double with 14 points, 12 rebound, 5 blocks. J.J. Redick and Glen Davis scored 15 and 12 points respectively off the bench. Hedo Turkoglu had a solid all-around game with 11 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 steals, 2 blocks, and 0 turnovers in 32 minutes. Jameer Nelson scored 12 points with 5 rebounds, 4 assists, and Richardson scored all 12 of his points in the first half. Only two Wizards scored in double figures with PG John Wall leading the way with 33 points and 4 assists. SG Jordan Crawford added 18 points, 14 of which came in the third.

The Magic started out quickly, making four three-pointers on their way to a 25-8 lead with 3:49 remaining in the opening quarter, which was their largest lead of the game. After leading 27-11, the Magic went the final 2:44 of the quarter without scoring, as the Wizards cut their deficit to 27-18 after one. Magic reserve PG Chris Duhon committed three turnovers in the final 44 seconds. Richardson scored 9 points in the first quarter on 4 of 6 shooting. The Magic shot 46.9%, including 4 of 9 on threes in the opening frame, while the Wizards struggled, shooting just 26.9%.

The Magic extended their lead to 37-23 with 8:18 remaining in the second quarter after a Redick jumper and free throw. Washington would outscore the Magic 18-9 the rest of the quarter, as Wall scored 8 points in that span. It was 46-41 Magic at the half, as Richardson led the Magic with 12 points on 5 of 8 shooting. The Magic held the Wizards to 31.3% shooting in the first half, while the Magic shot 43.2%, including 5 of 13 on threes. Duhon had five of the Magic's nine turnovers.

Washington made their charge in the third quarter, scoring the first eight points to take their first lead of the game at 49-46. They would lead by as much as 60-53, as Crawford scored 14 points, including 2 three-pointers, in the first 8 minutes of the third. The Magic, thanks to 8 points from Redick in the final 2:14 of the quarter, took back the lead 71-70 heading into the fourth. The Wizards scored 29 points on 56.5% shooting in the third.

The Magic scored the first 8 points of the final quarter, which included three pointers from Anderson and Duhon, to lead 79-70. Washington would not go away, though, with Wall scoring 10 straight points followed by a Maurice Evans three pointer with 6:56 remaining to tie the game at 83. The Magic answered right back, with Nelson and Anderson each making three pointers within 30 seconds of each other as the Magic took the lead for good 89-83. It was 92-87 Magic when the Richardson-Booker skirmish occurred. That fired up the Magic, as three Anderson free throws followed by a Howard slam and a Turkoglu three pointer made the score 100-91 Magic with 1:32 remaining to put the game away.

Other game notes:

-The Wizards outscored the Magic 62-38 on two-point field goals, but the Magic outscored the Wizards 45-18 on three pointers and 19-15 on free throws. The Magic outrebounded the Wizards 48-36, including 16-12 offensively.

-The Magic scored 31 fourth quarter points on 50% shooting, including 5 three pointers.

-The Magic made 10 of 23 (43.5%) three pointers in the second half, and finished 15 of 36 (41.7%) for the game from long range.

-The 23 points and 15 rebounds from Anderson was the third time in his career that he has had a 20/15 game, and the second time this season.

-Magic rookie shooting guard DeAndre Liggins saw 16 minutes of action. He did not score nor attempt a shot, but grabbed 3 rebounds along with 3 steals.

-Magic reserve Quentin Richardson and former Magic Rashard Lewis each sat out the game with injuries.

Here is the game box score.