The AP reports: Hedo Turkoglu scored 20 points to lead the Magic to an 88-68 win over the New Orleans Hornets on Thursday in a matchup of division leaders… However, Stan Van Gundy said he understood how his team could build a 61-31 halftime lead and then shoot 23 percent in the second half… Dwight Howard had 12 points and 15 rebounds in Southeast-leading Orlando’s sixth-straight win. Rashard Lewis added 18 points and Jameer Nelson 14… David West had 13 points for New Orleans. Chris Paul and Devin Brown each added 12. Paul, the NBA steals leader (3.7 average), snapped his league-record string of 108 games with at least one… With Peja Stojakovic also out for the fourth straight game with back spasms, the Hornets were weak up front, and the Magic took advantage.
InsideHoops.com says: The Magic stomped the Hornets something nasty. It was 29-14 after the first quarter and 61-31 at the half. For the game, Turkoglu hit 4-of-6 three-pointers for 20 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists (but 5 turnovers). Rashard Lewis on 12 shots had 18 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists. Jameer Nelson hit 4-of-6 threes for 14 points, 3 assists and 2 steals. Dwight Howard shot just 4-of-15 for 12 points, 15 rebounds and 3 blocks. Orlando shot just 40.5% but the Hornets were just 33.3%.
