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Magic keep Nets winless with 88-72 victory

Nov 13, 11:36 pm EST

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ORLANDO, Fla. (AP)—Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard(notes) showed the winless New Jersey Nets that he’d like to repeat as the NBA’s Defensive Player of the Year.

Howard blocked five shots, scored 26 points and grabbed 12 rebounds as the Magic defeated New Jersey Nets 88-72 on Friday night.

The Nets, the NBA’s only winless team at 0-9, played without three starters and shot 33 percent (28 of 85) for the game.

It was the first real defensive statement of the season for the Magic and Howard, who had only 13 blocks in the first nine games this season. He swatted away five Nets’ shots and altered several more.

He put the clamps on New Jersey center Brook Lopez(notes), who averaged 23.7 points and 11 rebounds in his last three games, but got only four points and five rebounds against the Magic.

“We all played better defensively,” Howard said. “My job is to erase other people’s mistakes and I did that tonight. I think I had a good night.”

“It’s no coincidence that Dwight blocks five shots and they (Nets) shoot only 33 percent in the game,” Magic coach Stan Van Gundy said. “He was really into it. He was guarding his man (Lopez) and blocking shots and that makes a huge difference in the game.”

Howard’s performance helped the Magic overcome a triple-double by Nets point guard Rafer Alston(notes), who had 17 points, 10 assists and 10 rebounds. It was the first triple-double of Alston’s 11-year career.

It came against the team he helped to reach the finals with last season, but it didn’t prevent the Nets from extending the worst start in franchise history.

“I just want to win, no matter who it’s against,” Alston said. “We were right there, but we just let go of the rope in the fourth quarter.”

The Magic put all five starters in double figures, but had their own offensive struggles for most of the game. Howard dominated inside against Lopez and his backup, Sean Williams(notes), but when New Jersey sent their big men some help, Orlando’s perimeter players couldn’t take advantage.

The Magic broke things open in the final period. Vince Carter(notes) had two 3-pointers and Mickael Pietrus(notes) and Jason Williams(notes) one each as the Magic used a big run early in the period to open a 78-62 lead with 8:09 left in the game.

The Nets couldn’t mount a challenge in the last eight minutes.

“Offensively, we are struggling,” Van Gundy said. “We’re just not shooting the ball well and until we get back to shooting the ball, we’re not going to be as good as we should be.”

Notes: Both teams started the game with nine players available. … This was the end of Magic F Rashard Lewis’(notes) 10-game suspension. He will be eligible when the Magic play Charlotte on Monday. … Nets C Brook Lopez averaged 22.7 points, 11 rebounds and two blocks his past three games. He had only four points and five rebounds against the Magic.

Updated Nov 13, 11:36 pm EST
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Orlando vs Miami

Wed Nov 25, 2009, 7:30 pm EST

New Jersey at Denver

Tue Nov 24, 2009, 9:00 pm EST

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34 Comments

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  1. <i>bendgod</i>
    34. Posted by bendgod Sat Nov 14 5:06pm EST

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    Maybe teams that start the year 0-10 should be suspended until the next season and forfeit there remaining games. Why rip off the fans with such worthless teams play.
  2. <i>cavslandrocks</i>
    33. Posted by cavslandrocks Sat Nov 14 4:23pm EST

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    @ Lee H...why so defensive??..if you and all of the other ORL "fans" want to believe it was "accidental" then maybe you should go take up permanent residence at Fantasy Land..These are the facts...
    He tested positive for an elevated level of testosterone, NOT DHEA...The DHEA thing was HIS PR PEOPLE'S explanation....go look up just how much DHEA a healthy 29 year old would have to take for that (elevated testosterone level) to happen...(in excess of 2,500 mg DAILY)since those "over the counter supplements" he took are generally formulated to restore DHEA levels to that of an average 30 year old...Just remember that this was done without proper medical supervision...something that is provided by all teams to keep their players healthy and in compliance with NBA substance abuse regulations...bottom line is he cheated and got caught...just deal with it
  3. Jesse P
    32. Posted by Jesse P Sat Nov 14 2:45pm EST

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    Good to see Orlando get a nice solid win against a quality opponent. I guess even the most overrated big man in the history of the NBA and a washed up shooting guard can beat a team who couldn't beat a highschool team at this moment.
  4. Jesse P
    31. Posted by Jesse P Sat Nov 14 2:34pm EST

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    Holy $h!t, did I just read someone say that if RYAN ANDERSON was playing the Magic would have beat the Cavs??? Wow, the stupidity of you trailer trash down there in that bug infested hell hole.
  5. Steven
    30. Posted by Steven Sat Nov 14 11:55am EST

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    by the way kailee you want my phone number?
  6. Steven
    29. Posted by Steven Sat Nov 14 11:53am EST

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    he got suspended got 10 games! he is a cheater and always will be. he is like mackenzie phillips of the nba.
  7. Deuce
    28. Posted by Deuce Sat Nov 14 11:14am EST

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    wow, i'm pretty sure the substance Rashard took over the counter was supposed to help his knee tendinitis at the end of last season before the playoffs, not to turn him into a 3point crushing Ben Wallace... i have some sympathy for Rashard in this case
  8. Steven
    27. Posted by Steven Sat Nov 14 10:38am EST

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    now that rashad got caught cheating he will not be good and make the magic worse than the they already are and i though they had vince carter, jj reddick, and patrick ewing. but even wqith all 3 of them they still lost so stop making those excuses because your magic lost to the cavs .the cavs won without delone west and they still beat the and don't tell me that because delone sucks and rashad is a lot better than him. rashad cheated and delone didn't and delone will be an all star one day . just watch and see.
  9. Lee H
    26. Posted by Lee H Sat Nov 14 5:15am EST

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    Yeah. I'm sure whatever Lewis used increased his shot accuracy and coordination. You guys are some of the biggest idiots I've seen on here.
  10. <i>ajbrubio</i>
    25. Posted by ajbrubio Sat Nov 14 3:03am EST

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    jung, you're not the barometer of the league, if you don't know ryan anderson, it doesn't mean that he's not good. there are alot of under rated players in the nba. you should watch games more often.

    it's too early to tell, cleveland might break away in mid season, same as orlando, same as lakers, same as new jersey. seriously, guys, stop predicting.. the season has just begun. there are like 72 more games to go for each teams.
  11. jung
    24. Posted by jung Sat Nov 14 2:28am EST

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    seriously who is Ryan Anderson?? If he's good, I would know him already. Rashard Lewis plays well because he used banned substance. Stop use Rashard as an excuse because you know why he is suspended.
  12. Robert B
    23. Posted by Robert B Sat Nov 14 1:30am EST

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    I can stick a basketball in my butt. go magic!!
  13. Steven
    22. Posted by Steven Sat Nov 14 12:59am EST

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    rashad lewis is only good because he use steroids and delone doesn't
    so delone is better than rashad.
  14. Steven
    21. Posted by Steven Sat Nov 14 12:59am EST

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    rashad lewis is only good because he use steroids and delone doesn
    t so delone is better than rashad.
  15. Lind
    20. Posted by Lind Sat Nov 14 12:10am EST

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    Nets fans demand at least one win this year!!!!!! Soon to be Brookyln Nets!!!!! Get some NYC street balls on the team fast!!!!!
  16. james s
    19. Posted by james s Sat Nov 14 12:04am EST

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    Jason C - If Ryan Anderson (Rasards replacement) wasn't hurt and would have played the other night, The Cavs game would have been a different story. I think once Lewis comes back (Next game) and this team gells together, they will be the team to beat in the east. They are truley 12 men deep.
  17. Nubian
    18. Posted by Nubian Fri Nov 13 11:54pm EST

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    The Nets at least have an excuse (hurt starters) and light at the end of the tunnel as some of these players can return to action. I fully expect the Nets 2 be a better team then the Knicks once they return
    2 full strength. Frank has not really proven himself; he doesn't seem like a bad coach but he's not a good coach either. But I would blame Nets management more than Frank.
    1st. move the team 2 the Prudential center in Newark and be done with it. Not many people want the proposed development in BKLN, that's why it's tied up in state court right now. But Newark has a new arena just waiting 4 the Nets.
    Also, the current owner with a controlling interest has money problems. Now maybe selling 2 this Russian guy will help the team. He can spend some money and get some decent players.
    Maybe Gov. elect Christie will fight 2 keep the team from moving. Team up with Corey Booker and work something out.
  18. Luxref Staff
    17. Posted by Luxref Staff Fri Nov 13 11:33pm EST

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    Stop comparing West to Lewis. Lewis is an allstar. West is erratic at best.
  19. Spec
    16. Posted by Spec Fri Nov 13 11:27pm EST

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    Keep Frank. he has these guys playing hard. they have been close in a lot of games and almost beat the celtics last week. they weren't very good coming into the season and have 7 guys hurt including 4 starters including devin, cdr, courtney lee, and yi. they would have won 2 to 3 games against the bobcats, 2 against the sixers and up in minnesota if they had all those guys...
  20. Magician44
    15. Posted by Magician44 Fri Nov 13 11:23pm EST

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    Steven likes annoying magic fans on the nights his Cavs are not playing. Just let him be.
  21. knicks923
    14. Posted by knicks923 Fri Nov 13 11:17pm EST

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    i will say new jesey as an exuse at least they have devin harris who is a great player when healthy but sinece he is injured they have no go to guy in their offense until he gets back. I guess you can say brook lopez but this is his 2nd season and he isn't a 20 pt 10 reb player even though he is good. With the nets buliding for the future after loosing carter, kidd, and jefferson over the last couple of years they mine as well hold off on this season get a good draft p;ick and wait till 2010 to get a big name free agent. As a fan of the knicks I have no exuse they are just awful sitting at 1-9 now after losing again to the warriors. They have absolutely no idea what they are doing they should be playing in the d league for practice. There defense is absolutely terrible and we have no got to guy or superstar on our team. I guess you can sayy lee or nate but their not superstars just good players. With the knicks keep losing they dont even have a draft pick this year due to the fact the team is retarded for trading there 09 draft pick a couple of years ago for marbury(who blows, i forgot where is he again?) they need to try to win some games this year and still try to make the playoffs (probably not happening i must be dreaming) and hopefully sign a big name free agent in2010 to turn this knicks franchise around.
  22. Just a fan
    13. Posted by Just a fan Fri Nov 13 11:15pm EST

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    nets will go 0-13 before they get their first win
  23. <i>bass3888</i>
    12. Posted by bass3888 Fri Nov 13 11:14pm EST

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    New Jersey is the only team the Magic could beat? really thats why the magic have only played the nets twice won both of those but also won 5 other games, one they dominated the suns who are the second best team in the west. So before you say that the Nets are the only team the Magic can beat look at the record and realize how stupid you look saying what you said.
  24. Steven
    11. Posted by Steven Fri Nov 13 10:53pm EST

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    yeah but the cavs beated the magic and heat without delone west. i keep hearing that all the time but it doesn't matter at all.
  25. The Drunken Clam
    10. Posted by The Drunken Clam Fri Nov 13 10:41pm EST

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    i'm a fan of the nets...but honestly...it's time to remove coach frank. since it's gonna be a long season - either go inexperienced like mark jax and let him find his style...or find a solid teacher of defense (since the nets seriously need it) in jeff van gundy.
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Top Performers

 Top Performers
 New Jersey
R. Alston Rafer Alston
7-20,  17 Pts
10 Rebs, 10 Assists
 Orlando
D. Howard Dwight Howard
10-14,  26 Pts
12 Rebs, 1 Assists

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