JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) - Dwight Howard scored 26 points, and the Orlando Magic used a second-quarter run to build a big lead Saturday night before holding off the Miami Heat, 100-92 for their fourth consecutive preseason victory.
Howard also had 16 rebounds but was just 6-of-13 from the free throw line."I didn't play that well on defense and missed too many free throws," he said.
The 24-6 run started with Howard's free throw with 6:04 to play in the quarter and was followed by a pair of 3-pointers from guard J.J. Redick to give the Magic (4-1) a 57-42 lead at halftime. Howard had 12 points in the quarter and 20 in the half.
"Dwight was outstanding and J.J. was outstanding," Orlando coach Stan Van Gundy said. "Dwight's energy was great."
Miami had taken a 25-17 lead, its largest of the night, with 1:46 to play in the first quarter after rookie Michael Beasley hit a baseline jumper. The Heat led after the first period, 27-23.
The Heat (0-4) mounted a second-half comeback with a stifling defense and crucial points from offensive rebounds.
"A win would be great," Miami's Dwyane Wade said. "We continue to get better but we have a ways to go."
Wade, who finished with 29 points, had back-to-back baskets off steals midway through the third period, cutting it to 65-56.
Udonis Haslem and Beasley kept chipping away at the lead as Haslem scored six points early in the fourth quarter on offensive rebounds and Beasley hit a pair of 3-pointers to pull to 87-83.
Redick then hit a 3-pointer and Mickael Pietrus added another to put away the game.
