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Orlando Lights Up Atlanta's 'D'

Magic virtually unstoppable in first half against porous Hawks

By Mike Buss,  Newser Staff

Posted Mar 10, 2008 9:49 PM CDT
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(Newser) – Orlando set a franchise record with 74 first-half points on 61% shooting in a 123-112 beating of Atlanta, reports the Orlando Sentinel. Dwight Howard took a pre-game talk with coach Stan Van Gundy to heart, as he posted 26 points and 16 rebounds, while teammate Hedo Turkoglu had his second-ever triple double with 23 points, 13 assists, and 10 rebounds.

The Magic is firmly entrenched as Southeast Division leaders, and sits third in the Eastern Conference at 41-24, after totaling only 40 victories all last season. Atlanta, at 11 games under .500, remains eighth in the East, though that position is at best tenuous: a Nets loss will leave New Jersey a half-game back, with the Bulls another half-game behind them. Joe Johnson had 27 points while Mike Bibby added 23 for the losing squad.

Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard, center, is fouled by Atlanta Hawks' Joe Johnson while going up for a shot as Hedo Turkoglu, back left, and Al Horford, right, watch during the first half in Orlando, Fla., Monday, March 10, 2008. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard, center, is fouled by Atlanta Hawks' Joe Johnson while going up for a shot as Hedo Turkoglu, back left, and Al Horford, right, watch during the first half in Orlando,...   (Associated Press)
Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard, left, wins a rebound away from Atlanta Hawks center Zaza Pachulia, of Georgia, during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Orlando, Fla., Monday, March 10, 2008. The Magic won 123-112. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard, left, wins a rebound away from Atlanta Hawks center Zaza Pachulia, of Georgia, during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Orlando, Fla., Monday, March 10, 2008....   (Associated Press)
Atlanta Hawks guard Mike Bibby, left, is fouled by Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard while driving to the basket during the first half in Orlando, Fla., Monday, March 10, 2008. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Atlanta Hawks guard Mike Bibby, left, is fouled by Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard while driving to the basket during the first half in Orlando, Fla., Monday, March 10, 2008. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)   (Associated Press)
Atlanta Hawks forward Marvin Williams, right, dunks the ball over Orlando Magic forward Brian Cook during the first half of an NBA game in Orlando, Fla., Monday, March 10, 2008. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Atlanta Hawks forward Marvin Williams, right, dunks the ball over Orlando Magic forward Brian Cook during the first half of an NBA game in Orlando, Fla., Monday, March 10, 2008. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)   (Associated Press)
Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard, left, wins a rebound away from Atlanta Hawks center Zaza Pachulia, of Georgia, during the first half of their NBA game in Orlando, Fla., Monday, March 10, 2008. The Magic won 123-112. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard, left, wins a rebound away from Atlanta Hawks center Zaza Pachulia, of Georgia, during the first half of their NBA game in Orlando, Fla., Monday, March 10, 2008. The...   (Associated Press)
Orlando Magic forward Rashard Lewis, right, puts up a shot in front of Atlanta Hawks' Josh Smith during the first half in Orlando, Fla., Monday, March 10, 2008. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Orlando Magic forward Rashard Lewis, right, puts up a shot in front of Atlanta Hawks' Josh Smith during the first half in Orlando, Fla., Monday, March 10, 2008. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)   (Associated Press)
Atlanta Hawks forward Josh Smith, left, puts up a shot in front of Orlando Magic forward Rashard Lewis during the second half of NBA action in Orlando, Fla., Monday, March 10, 2008. The Magic won 123-112. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Atlanta Hawks forward Josh Smith, left, puts up a shot in front of Orlando Magic forward Rashard Lewis during the second half of NBA action in Orlando, Fla., Monday, March 10, 2008. The Magic won 123-112....   (Associated Press)
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NBA • basketball • Orlando Magic • Stan Van Gundy • Dwight Howard • Atlanta Hawks • Hedo Turkoglu • Joe Johnson • Mike Bibby

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