76ers Rout Streaking Magic 101-89

[February 28, 2008]  PHILADELPHIA (AP) -- Andre Miller scored 22 of his 26 points in the first half and Willie Green had a season-high 26 to lead the Sixers to a 101-89 victory over the Orlando Magic on Wednesday.

Miller and Green, the Sixers' starting backcourt, outscored Orlando starting guards, Jameer Nelson and Maurice Evans, 52-2. Miller was 11-for-16 from the floor and added nine assists and six rebounds. Evans played 10 minutes in the first half and did not return.

The Sixers had lost their first two meetings to Orlando earlier this month, four straight overall and six of the last seven. Orlando also had won the last four meetings in Philadelphia. The Sixers have now won seven straight at home - with their last loss at the Wachovia Center coming to the Magic on Feb. 1.

Andre Iguodala added 24 points, and the Sixers constantly harassed Orlando center Dwight Howard, who managed 14 points on 6-for-13 shooting and 16 rebounds.

Sixers center Samuel Dalembert, who missed the last two days of practice with left foot, ankle and quad injures, started and had nine points and 12 rebounds.

Orlando had won three straight.

The Sixers scored the games first seven points and never trailed. In the first quarter, they hit their first six attempts from the field and 15 of their first 17. In the second quarter, the Magic missed 10 straight shots from the field and went nearly 10 minutes without a field goal.

The Sixers led by as much as 24 in the second quarter and 61-42 at halftime. Miller was 9-for-10 from the field in the half with six assists and three rebounds.

The Sixers led by as many as 20 in the third before a 13-6 run brought the Magic within 13 early in the fourth. Seldom-used guard J.J. Redick had a chance to cut the deficit to 11 but missed two free throws. Redick entered the game shooting 89.0 percent from the line.

But the former Duke star, booed almost every time he touched the ball, helped key a modest rally. Redick scored five straight points, and Rashard Lewis hit a three to get the Magic within 89-80 with 5:53 remaining.

Then Green finished it for Philadelphia. After hitting a jumper over Redick, Green beat him for a three-point play to give the Sixers a 97-82 lead with 3:09 remaining.

Notes: Magic guard Keyon Dooling sprained his left foot. The Sixers avoided their first five-game losing streak to Orlando since 2001-02, when they lost 6 in a row.

[Associated Press]

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