Magic continue homestand against scorching Suns

Orlando is 1-1 on the homestand and 8-2 as the host this season. The Magic posted an 86-84 win over the Allen Iverson-less Philadelphia 76ers on Saturday as Dwight Howard recorded a season-high 28 points and pulled down 12 rebounds.

Howard finished an impressive 12-of-17 shooting, while Grant Hill scored 23 points with six boards for the Magic, who snapped a two-game skid. Trevor Ariza contributed 13 points off the bench and Jameer Nelson added eight points and dished out seven assists in the victory.

Meanwhile, the Suns have ripped off 10 straight wins and are a perfect 3-0 on a five-game road trip. Phoenix won a franchise record 14 in a row from December 1, 1992 to December 30, 1992.

Amare Stoudemire poured in 22 points and was one of six Phoenix players to post double-digit points on Sunday for the Suns, who posted a 114-84 rout of the Charlotte Bobcats.

Stoudemire, who also grabbed 12 rebounds, finished 8-of-11 shooting and was a perfect 6-of-6 from the line. Boris Diaw scored 17 points with seven boards and six assists, while Leandro Barbosa contributed 15 points off the bench. Raja Bell and Shawn Marion each had 14 points and Steve Nash posted 11 and dished out 10 assists for the Suns, who scored over 100 points for the seventh consecutive game and won for the 12th time in 13 games.

Phoenix, which is a half game behind the Los Angeles Lakers in the Pacific Division, is 5-4 on the road this season.

The Suns and Magic split a pair of meetings last season. Phoenix has won three of four, six of eight and 12 of the last 17 meetings.

Phoenix, though, has dropped two of three and three of its last five trips to TD Waterhouse Centre.