Magic make NBA-record 23 3s in rout of Kings

[January 14, 2009]  SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) -- Dwight Howard had 25 points and 15 rebounds, and the Orlando Magic made an NBA-record 23 3-pointers Tuesday night in a 139-107 victory over the Sacramento Kings.

The Magic made 23 of 37 attempts in breaking the old mark of 21, set by Toronto on March 13, 2005, against Philadelphia. The record came on Jeremy Richardson's 3-pointer with 2:20 left to play, providing the only drama in the second half.

With the Magic leading by 22 points, Howard never left the bench in the fourth quarter as the Magic won their fifth straight game. Jameer Nelson made five 3-pointers and had 23 points and 11 assists, Rashard Lewis scored 19 points, Hedo Turkoglu contributed 17 points and eight assists, and J.J. Redick added 15 points.

Kevin Martin scored 30 points for the Kings, who allowed a season-high point total. Francisco Garcia scored 15 points, Spencer Hawes had 14 and Bobby Jackson added 13.

Showing no letdown coming off a big road win Sunday in San Antonio, the Magic shot 62 percent in the opening half, when they never cooled off during an impressive offensive showing that resulted in a 75-56 lead.

Orlando had the listless Kings defense to thank as well. Open shots were everywhere in the half, when the Magic went a staggering 13-of-19 from 3-point range in establishing new franchise records for 3-pointers and total points in a half.

The 3-point barrage continued in the third quarter. Nelson connected on a pair in the first 80 seconds and the Magic made seven overall in hiking their lead to 107-85 heading into the fourth.

Orlando improved to 16-4 this season against the Western Conference. The Magic continue a four-game road trip Friday against the Lakers and meet Denver on Saturday.

The loss was the 12th in 14 games for the Kings, who have not strung together two straight victories since early November.

The Kings had no answer in the opening half for the athletic Howard, whose most impressive feat was an alley-oop dunk with his back to the basket. He scored 15 points and had 11 rebounds against an array of Sacramento defenders. Lewis and Redick both had 12 points for Orlando, which outscored the Kings 41-29 in the opening half.

Notes: Redick connected on four 3-pointers in the first half and two fans in the lower level repeatedly stood and chanted his name after each basket. The Kings are now 7-13 at Arco Arena and are on pace to have their worst home record in franchise history. Kenny Thomas made a rare appearance for the Kings, playing his fifth game this season and going scoreless in three minutes.

[Associated Press]

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