Magic Win Critical Raps Series

Howard takes over late against Bosh-less Toronto
By Jesse Andrews,  Newser Staff
Posted Mar 4, 2008 11:16 PM CST
Magic Win Critical Raps Series
Toronto Raptors guard T.J. Ford (11) goes up for a shot past Orlando Magic forward Rashard Lewis, left, and guard Keith Bogans (10) during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Orlando, Fla., Tuesday, March 4, 2008. The Magic won 102-87. (AP Photo/John Raoux)   (Associated Press)

Dwight Howard sustained early foul trouble, then dominated in the fourth quarter against a Raptors frontcourt missing All-Star Chris Bosh, and the Magic prevailed in Orlando, 102-87, reports the Orlando Sentinel. Howard had three points through three awkward quarters, as both teams struggled with their makeshift smallball lineups; he battered Toronto for 16 in the fourth.

It offset the 15 straight that electric, diminutive point guard T.J. Ford scored for the Raptors late in the game. The victory gave Orlando a 2-1 series win over Toronto, which would decide a playoff seeding tiebreaker; the Raptors are five games behind the Magic for the East's #3 spot. (More NBA stories.)

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