Atlanta, GA (My Sportsbook) - Dwight Howard recorded his 26th double-double of the season with 23 points and 19 rebounds, and the Orlando Magic edged the Atlanta Hawks, 106-102, at Philips Arena in the front end of a home-and-home series between the top two teams in the Southeast Division.

Orlando, at 28-8, holds a five-game lead on Atlanta for first place in the division.

Rashard Lewis and Hedo Turkoglu poured in 20 points apiece for the Magic, who have won two in a row and 11 of 13 overall. Jameer Nelson added 15 points in the win.

Josh Smith totaled 21 points and nine boards for the Hawks, who have dropped two of three. Mike Bibby had 17 points and nine assists in the loss, while Marvin Williams logged 16 points.

The Hawks were without the services of center Zaza Pachulia (flu-like symptoms) and guard Acie Law (personal family matter).

With 1:45 left in the game, Al Horford connected on a three-point play to get the Hawks within 99-95.

A bit later, Bibby missed a wide-open layup that would have made it a two- point game.

The Hawks got the ball back and called a timeout with 39.5 seconds left. Following the stoppage, Joe Johnson missed a shot, and Howard grabbed the rebound and was fouled, hitting 1-of-2 to make it 102-97.

Smith's putback layup made it 102-99 with 18.4 ticks left.

Lewis was fouled on the ensuing Orlando possession with 16.8 seconds left, but hit just one of the free throws to make it a four-point affair.

After Bibby missed a three, the Magic pulled away slightly for a six-point lead, but Smith nailed a three to make it a one-possession game, 105-102, with about six seconds left.

Atlanta failed to get within three points from there.

The Magic jumped out to a 29-24 lead after the first quarter and were up 60-45 at the break.

Courtney Lee's three-pointer from the right wing opened a 76-55 Orlando lead midway through the third quarter.

Atlanta managed to cut it to 86-70 heading into the final 12 minutes.

Down by 19 early in the fourth quarter, a 12-0 run cut it to 93-86 with eight minutes left in the game. Maurice Evans and Johnson both hit threes to spark the surge and Solomon Jones' jumper closed it out.

Moments later, Smith's dunk made it 97-92 with just over three minutes showing on the clock.

Game Notes

The clubs combined to shoot 16-for-39 from behind the arc...Atlanta had won six in a row at home and is now 15-3 at Philips Arena...Orlando owns an Eastern Conference-best 13-5 record on the road. The Magic had lost two of their last three away tests...Orlando has won two straight in Atlanta after losing six straight there...These teams will meet again in Orlando on Friday.