Smith's Huge Night Helps Hawks Beat Magic 98-87

Orlando looks sloppy, loses 2nd straight
By Doug Sweeney,  Newser Staff
Posted Dec 10, 2007 10:47 PM CST
Smith's Huge Night Helps Hawks Beat Magic 98-87
Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard (12) is fouled as he goes up for a shot against Atlanta Hawks center Lorenzen Wright, lower left, and Atlanta Hawks guard Josh Smith, behind , during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Orlando, Fla., Monday, Dec. 10, 2007. (AP Photo/John Raoux)   (Associated Press)

Orlando became the latest victim of giant-killer Atlanta, losing 98-87 to the Hawks, who have already beaten Western powers Dallas and Phoenix this year. Josh Smith had a monster night for Atlanta, compiling 25 points, 16 rebounds, five assists, four steals and four blocks. The Magic struggled offensively and dropped consecutive games for the first time this season, reports the Orlando Sentinel.

Trailing by as many as 15 points in the third quarter, the Magic made several runs to cut the lead down, but mistakes on the offensive end derailed completion of a comeback. The loss continued Orlando’s home struggles: the Magic are only 5-4 at Amway Arena, compared to 11-2 on the road. Hedo Turkoglu had 22 points to lead Orlando. (More basketball stories.)

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