Howard Has 30 to Help Magic Beat Bulls

[April 10, 2008]  ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) -- Dwight Howard had 30 points and 14 rebounds to help the Orlando Magic beat the Chicago Bulls 115-83 Wednesday night.

Howard played with six stitches in his upper lip, the result of a collision in practice Tuesday with 6-foot-11 reserve Marcin Gortat. Howard recorded his NBA-leading 67th double-double, one short of Shaquille O'Neal's franchise record from the 1992-93 season.

Kirk Hinrich led Chicago with 19 points, while Ben Gordon and Aaron Gray each scored 13. Tyrus Thomas tied a career high with five blocks.

The Magic committed six turnovers in the game's first six minutes, and Chicago led by eight in the first quarter.

But Orlando, on two days rest, took control with a 13-0 run in the second quarter. Howard was spectacular in the stretch, scoring 11, blocking a shot and converting a 3-point play to give Orlando a a 51-36 lead.

Rashard Lewis finished with 21 points and seven rebounds for Orlando, Carlos Arroyo had 13 points and six assists and Hedo Turkoglu had 12 points, eight assists and six rebounds.

Chicago drew within 78-70 on a 17-7 run in the third quarter, but no closer. The Bulls scored just two points in the fourth quarter's first 2 1/2 minutes. Howard punctuated the win with a thunderous dunk over Andres Nocioni with about eight minutes left that put Orlando ahead 95-75.

Despite maintaining that lead, coach Stan Van Gundy kept the All-Star center on the court until the 3:22 mark in the fourth quarter.

Neither team had much to play for. The Magic have already locked up the No. 3 seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs and the Bulls were eliminated after a seven-point loss at Miami on Tuesday. It is the first time in three years Chicago hasn't made the postseason.

Notes: Magic F-C Tony Battie said Wednesday he definitely wouldn't return in time for the playoffs. Battie had rotator cuff surgery in October and was a long-shot to come back this season. "I'm not 100 percent yet, and you don't want to risk throwing me out there and reinjuring," he said. ... Fans gave assistant Orlando coach Patrick Ewing a standing ovation during a video montage of his career highlights. Ewing was elected to the Hall of Fame on Monday ... The teams play again in Chicago on Sunday.

[Associated Press; By TRAVIS REED]

Copyright 2008 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.