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Orlando Magic will attempt to run their win streak to four games when the Southeast Division leaders host the
Golden State Warriors tonight at Amway Arena.
Orlando has extended its lead atop the Southeast to a comfortable nine games over second-place Washington by winning six times in its last seven outings. The surging Magic lengthened the gap on the Wizards with an authoritative 122-92 victory Wednesday at the MCI Center.
Dwight Howard led a balanced Orlando attack with 20 points and 11 rebounds, while Rashard Lewis, Maurice Evans and Keith Bogans each contributed 17 points to the winning effort. The Magic shot 56 percent as a team for the game and led from start to finish.
Orlando starts up a stretch of five straight games at Amway Arena, where the club has ripped off five wins in a row and owns an 18-11 mark on the season, this evening. The Magic may also get an added boost to the lineup for tonight's tilt, as it's possible key reserve Keyon Dooling may be able to return after missing the team's last three games with a sprained left foot.
Golden State will be wrapping up a four-game road trip against Southeast Division opponents and has gone 2-1 thus far on the trek. The Warriors were easy winners on Friday, routing the hapless Miami Heat by a 134-99 score at American Airlines Arena.
Stephen Jackson topped Golden State with 22 points and Al Harrington added 17 on the evening. The two frontcourt players were a combined 10-of-15 from three-point range for the game.
The Warriors got back center Andris Biedrins for Friday's contest after the 6- foot-11 Latvian missed six straight games due to an appendectomy. Biedrins compiled six points and four rebounds in 18 minutes of action against the Heat.
These teams squared off in Oakland back in early December, with the Magic coming away with a 123-117 overtime decision. Point guard Jameer Nelson amassed 22 points, 11 assists and eight rebounds in the win, while Howard pulled down 21 rebounds.
Golden State has won in two of its last three trips to Orlando, however, and posted a 117-108 victory in its lone visit to Amway Arena last season.
