Magic beats Cavaliers 100-84 in China

(AP)
Updated: 2007-10-20 18:42

MACAO - Dwight Howard scored 17 points to help the Orlando Magic beat the Cleveland Cavaliers 100-84 and sweep a two-game preseason series between the NBA teams in China.

Howard and the Cavaliers' star guard LeBron James both sat out the fourth quarter of the game in Macau, a Chinese casino city known as Asia's Las Vegas. James and Larry Hughes led Cleveland with 14 points.

The Magic beat the Cavaliers 90-86 on Wednesday in Shanghai. On Thursday, Orlando defeated a team of Chinese All-Stars 116-92 in Macau at the new arena at the Venetian Macao Resort Hotel.

The Cavaliers dominated the first period as guards James and Hughes each scored eight points to give Cleveland a 23-30 lead. Howard also had eight points, but he struggled at the foul line, sinking only 2 of 5 attempts.

Orlando charged back in the second period and tied the game at 43-43 after Howard was fouled on a fast-break layup and hit the free throw for a three-point play with 25 seconds left in the period. But in the final seconds, the Cavaliers took the lead again at 45-43 after James sank two free throws.

But the Magic opened the third period with an alley-OOP jam by Howard, and Orlando moved ahead for the first time when Turkish forward Hedo Turkoglu sank a three-pointer for a 49-47 lead. Turkoglu hit another three-pointer, while forward Pat Garrity and guard J.J. Redick each contributed threes and the Magic finished the period leading 71-69. The Cavaliers trailed the rest of the game.

Garrity, guard Keith Bogans and Redick each scored 14 points for Orlando.



Top Sports News  
Today's Top News  
Most Commented/Read Stories in 48 Hours