Orlando, FL (My Sportsbook) - Hedo Turkoglu scored 21 points -- including a 5-of-5 performance from three-point range -- to lead the
Orlando Magic in a 121-87 victory over the
Atlanta Hawks, sweeping a home-and-home set.
Orlando defeated the Hawks on Wednesday, 106-102, in Atlanta and now owns a six-game lead in the Southeast Division. Orlando has won 11 consecutive contests at home and is on its longest home win streak since a 12-game run from March 10-April 15, 2006. The Magic haven't lost as the host since a 100-95 setback to Houston on November 22.
Dwight Howard chipped in 16 points and 10 rebounds for the Magic, who have won three in a row and 12 of their last 14 games overall. J.J. Redick had 15 points and Jameer Nelson 14 with nine assists.
"The thing is we know we have a good team," Nelson said. "We have a coach and a general manager that won't let us get complacent. We know we have to work, and we know we have to get better to get to where we want to be at."
Acie Law tallied 16 points for the Hawks, who have dropped two in a row and three of four since a six-game winning streak. Solomon Jones donated 12 points and eight boards in defeat, while Joe Johnson was the only starter to reach double figures at 11 points.
The Hawks, who shot a putrid 35 percent (28-of-80) from the floor, were behind by 38 points at halftime.
Rashard Lewis' two free throws capped a 22-4 run Orlando used to open the game. The Magic eventually parlayed that lead into a 41-18 advantage after the first quarter.
Orlando's 41 first-quarter points were the most the team has scored in any quarter this season.
"They just wanted it more than us," said Johnson. "That is what it seemed like to me. They just came out and hit us first and we never hit back."
Turkoglu's three-pointer highlighted a 13-0 Magic run that opened the second quarter and gave the home team a 54-18 lead with 7:53 left in the half. The Magic opened a 71-33 lead at the break
Howard's two free throws opened a 101-51 cushion with 2:46 left in the third, the Magic held a 103-60 margin heading into the final 12 minutes. The Magic cruised over the final quarter with many of their starters resting.
Game Notes
Orlando shot 48.2 percent (40-of-83)...The Magic won the rebounding war, 55-38...The Magic also scored 71 points in a half this season on November 12 in a game at Oklahoma City...Orlando has built a stellar 16-3 home record so far during the 2008-09 campaign, although one of those losses came to the Hawks in the season opener...The Hawks had emerged victorious in three of their last four visits to Amway Arena.