ORLANDO, Fla. – Ryan Anderson scored 23 points, including six 3-pointers, to help the Orlando Magic snap a four-game losing streak with a 109-103 victory over the Washington Wizards on Wednesday night.
Dwight Howard and J.J. Redick added 21 points each for Orlando, which beat Washington for the eighth straight time.
It was the Magic's first 100-point game since a win at Indiana on Jan. 24.
After struggling with turnovers throughout their recent skid, the Magic settled down after a rocky first half to commit just four turnovers in the final 24 minutes.
Nick Young had 24 points and Rashard Lewis added 20 for Washington. The Wizards dropped to 1-9 on the road and still haven't beaten a .500 team on the road the past two seasons.
The Wizards trailed by just a point entering the fourth quarter and stayed close before the Magic took an 87-77 lead with 5:56 to play on a one-handed dunk by Howard in the post over JaVale McGee.
Howard ran down the court after the play and pointed toward Quentin Richardson before the two bumped chests.
It was a rare moment of celebration or levity for a team that had so very few of them during its skid.
Washington got to 104-100 with 34.8 to play, but the Magic were able to close it out at the free-throw line.
After coasting through the opening minutes during most of its recent losing skid, Orlando picked up its offense in the first half Wednesday and led by four at the break. But many of its recent headaches in its half-court offense persisted early on.
The Magic were up as many as 11 points at one point. They also committed 11 turnovers, though, the product of their increasing difficulty getting the ball across half court which led to steals and layups on the other end for the Wizards.
Washington used a 16-5 spurt to begin the second quarter to take a 36-30 lead before a 14-2 run by Orlando, which included three straight 3-pointers, nudged the Magic back in front.
They hit 7 of 19 of their shots from beyond the arc in the opening 24 minutes. Anderson had four of the makes and led all scorers with 15 points.
NOTES: Howard was whistled for his sixth technical of the year in the third quarter. ... Washington has lost 48 of its last 52 games on the road. ... Wizards G Shelvin Mack posted a career-high in points. ... Magic PG Jameer Nelson missed his third straight game with concussion-like symptoms and SG Jason Richardson was out his second consecutive game resting a bruised left knee. ... Milwaukee Brewers infielder Rickie Weeks was in attendance Wednesday.
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