Miller has 22 points, Blazers beat Magic 97-83

[December 10, 2010]  PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) -- Andre Miller returned from a one-game suspension to score 22 points and the Portland Trail Blazers beat the Orlando Magic 97-83 on Thursday night to extend their winning streak to three games.

Wesley Matthews had 20 points for the Blazers, who trailed by 14 points in the first half but led by 15 points in the second. Portland's modest winning streak comes after six straight losses.

Dwight Howard had a season-high 39 points in the loss, the Magic's third straight. The team had been hampered by a nasty stomach ailment that hit Howard, Jameer Nelson, J.J. Redick and Mickael Pietrus, but all of them were healthy against the Blazers -- including Nelson, who sat out the last three games.

Howard added 15 rebounds.

Miller rejoined the team after sitting out a 106-99 victory Tuesday night over Phoenix because of an NBA-imposed suspension. Miller was disciplined for making "excessive and unnecessary contact" with Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin in a game Sunday.

The suspension snapped Miller's consecutive games streak at 632, the longest among active NBA players. He hadn't missed a game since Jan. 24, 2003.

Miller told reporters Wednesday the suspension wasn't justified. He says it showed that the league favors younger players and was without consideration for his accomplishment.

A fan at the game held a sign that read: "Don't mess with Andre!"

Howard had 18 points in the first quarter to help the Magic take a 22-14 lead.

The Magic stretched the margin to 14 points before the Blazers started to close the gap, cutting it to 40-34 on LaMarcus Aldridge's dunk.

Matthew's 3-pointer pulled the Blazers to 44-43, but Howard quieted the crowd with a dunk and Orlando led 46-45 at the half. Howard had 26 points at the break.

Portland pulled in front 49-48 on Marcus Camby's layup early in the second half. Portland pushed the lead to 63-56 and started the fourth quarter with a 67-62 advantage.

Rudy Fernandez's 3-pointer gave the Blazers a 75-64 edge, and Portland cruised the rest of the way. Miller's jumper made it 88-73.

The Magic were hurt by the poor shooting of Nelson, who was 4 of 14 from the field, and Vince Carter, who was 2 of 12.

NOTES: The Blazers had a "red-out" at the Rose Garden, which was facilitated by Google. The company left red T-shirts on every seat. ... Portland honored Dr. Jack Ramsay, who coached the Blazers to the 1977 NBA championship. Ramsay was part of the ESPN Radio crew covering the game. ... Howard's career high is 45 points, set in 2009 against Charlotte.

[Associated Press; By ANNE M. PETERSON]

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