Associated Press
The NBA Roundup …
CHARLOTTE ó Dwight Howard has played a role in winning more than a few games for the Orlando Magic in his career.
On Sunday night, the Magic showed that they can win a game without him.
Hedo Turkoglu scored 20 points to lead four Orlando players in double figures in a 90-85 victory over the Charlotte Bobcats.
Mickael Pietrus added 18 points, Rashard Lewis had 17 and Jameer Nelson 15 for Orlando, which overcame a five-point halftime deficit for its third straight road win.
“We have to prepare ourselves (because) sometimes even (Howard’s) having an off night,” Turkoglu said. “Tonight, we all just stepped up and did a great job as a group.”
The Magic’s All-Star center was shut down by Charlotte’s defense, scoring just four points (all on free throws), and he only played 71/2 minutes in the second half before fouling out for the first time this season with 3:18 remaining.
“Tonight just wasn’t my night,” said Howard, who had his lowest-scoring game since putting up eight points in 441/2 minutes in a 90-89 loss to Detroit in Game 4 of Orlando’s second-round NBA playoff series last May.
“We started off pretty bad, and our effort wasn’t there. I’ve got to be the catalyst, and I didn’t have it tonight. But I’m glad my teammates stepped up.”
Gerald Wallace scored 17 points, and Raymond Felton and Adam Morrison had 14 each for the Bobcats, who led 51-47 with seven minutes left in the third quarter.
Mavericks 124, Knicks 114
NEW YORK (AP) ó Dirk Nowitzki scored seven of his season-high 39 points in overtime and grabbed 15 rebounds, and the Dallas Mavericks snapped a five-game losing streak with a 124-114 victory over the New York Knicks on Sunday.
Josh Howard added season highs of 31 points and 14 rebounds. He had a pair of baskets in the extra session for the Mavericks (3-7), who were off to their worst start in a decade.
Suns 104, Pistons 86
PHOENIX ó Amare Stoudemire had 29 points and 11 rebounds on his 26th birthday and Phoenix overcame Shaquille O’Neal’s second-quarter ejection.
Steve Nash, back from a one-game suspension for his part in a skirmish with several Houston players, added 17 points and seven assists for the Suns.
Nuggets 90, T’wolves 84
DENVER ó Chauncey Billups scored 26 points, J.R. Smith had eight of his 14 points in a decisive fourth-quarter stretch and the Denver Nuggets overcame poor shooting to hand Minnesota its eighth straight loss.
Raptors 107, Heat 96
TORONTO ó Chris Bosh scored 27 points, and Jermaine O’Neal had 11 points and 18 rebounds to help Toronto snap a two-game losing streak.
Dwyane Wade scored 29 points for Miami.