Magic pull out close one at the Garden

Dwight Howard and the Magic had to come behind from an eight point deficit early in the fourth to pull out a 106 – 102 win at the Garden. Early on, it was a back and forth game before the Knicks pulled away to a four point halftime lead and a nine point lead heading into the fourth and final quarter.

Courtney Lee scored a career high 22 points on six of eight shooting from the field and eight for eight from the free throw line including four clutch free throws at the end of the game to ice the win.

Dwight Howard was a total nightmare for Knicks big guys all night long. He used his strengh to do whatever he wanted on the floor. Facing double teams throughout the game.

Howard finished with a game high 29 points, 14 rebounds to go with four blocks. Hedo Turkoglu finished with 16 points and Rashard Lewis pitched in with ten of his own.

Anthony Johnson lit up coming off the bench playing eighteen minutes while scoring 11 much needed points. The Knicks hung in with one of the top dogs in the East.

Nate Robinson led the Knicks with 19 points on 6 of 23 shooting and 1 of 7 from behind the arc. The Magic had a chance to tie it twice late but Nate Robinson missed a potential three that would have sent the game to overtime.

The Magic move to 52 and 18 and are now two full games behind the Boston Celtics in the win column while having an even 18 in the loss column.

FINAL SCORE:

Magic 106 – Knicks 102

PLAYER OF THE GAME:

Dwight Howard: 29 pts., 14 rebs., 4 blks., 12/18 shooting, 5/11 from the free throw line