|
 Dallas led by as many as 19, but Orlando got within 83-80 on Rashard Lewis' 3-pointer with 7:15 left. The Magic didn't score again for almost 5 minutes, and Dallas went on a 10-0 run to put the game away.
Turkoglu had 13 points, a career-high 13 assists and 12 rebounds, while Dwight Howard scored 28. But Howard, the NBA's rebound leader averaging 15, had only seven, and Orlando was outrebounded 47-34.
Jason Terry scored 20 points -- 12 in the fourth quarter -- Dirk Nowitzki had 20 points and nine rebounds and Brandon Bass scored 16 for Dallas.
The loss snaps a four-game winning streak for Orlando, and a two-game skid for Dallas. The Mavericks closed a four-game Eastern Conference road trip 2-2.
Dallas led comfortably until the third quarter, when Orlando finally drew within single digits. Maurice Evans had nine of his 16 points in the period, all in an 18-8 Magic run over eight minutes to close to 69-64.
Keyon Dooling scored 14 for Orlando, while Rashard Lewis added 13 points.
Josh Howard came up with several key jumpers, including an off-balance 19-footer in the fourth quarter that slowed Orlando's momentum. He also managed to hit a running 26-footer with 31 seconds left before halftime, putting the Mavericks up 55-39.
[to top of second column]
 |
The Mavericks started hot, hitting 62 percent in the first quarter a night after their worst scoring performance of the season. Dallas made only 30 percent of its shots in a 90-67 loss against Detroit Sunday night, including 3-for-18 for Nowitzki.
The All-Star forward had another tough shooting night at 8-for-22, but added five assists.
Dwight Howard made a number of spectacular plays, including an alley-oop from Turkoglu in the first quarter, a tough reverse layup and even an open-court steal. However, he turned it over right away passing into a fast break.
The dunks roused the crowd, but Dallas answered each time.
Notes: Turkoglu and Trenton Hassell were called for a double technical in the second quarter. The two jawed after getting tangled up on a Turkoglu drive, and both coaches came onto the floor as officials sorted things out. ... Mavericks F Jerry Stackhouse (strained right hamstring) missed his sixth straight game, while G Devin Harris (left ankle bone bruise) missed his fourth straight. ... Howard went three quarters without a foul, then finished with three.
[Associated Press; By TRAVIS REED]
Copyright 2007 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This
material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or
redistributed.
|
