Magic pay a visit to San Antonio

The Magic have lost five of their last six and are now one-half game behind New Jersey for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.

Tonight’s game is the third of a brutal four-game road trip for Orlando, with all four teams on the swing currently holding playoff spots. The Magic opened the trek with a win in Chicago before falling to Denver on Wednesday.

It get’s no easier this evening, as the Magic visit the Spurs, who are third overall in the West and nine back of Dallas in the Southwest Division. Orlando concludes its swing against those NBA-leading Mavericks on Saturday.

Dwight Howard posted 23 points and 12 boards against the Nuggets for Orlando while Jameer Nelson netted 16 points. Keyon Dooling added 14 points, and Hedo Turkoglu had 12 in the loss.

On top of the loss, Orlando saw Grant Hill leave Denver with a sore left foot. Hill played just 13:29 against the Nuggets and is doubtful for tonight’s game. Forward Tony Battie, who has missed Orlando’s last 10 games due to a fractured right thumb, is questionable.

The Magic are just 10-19 on the road this season.

The Spurs come in riding a six-game winning streak. On Monday, Tim Duncan scored 24 points and pulled down 16 rebounds, leading San Antonio to a 107-91 pounding of the Raptors.

Tony Parker had 27 points and nine assists for the Spurs, who conclude a three-game homestand tonight and are 19-8 as the host. Robert Horry added 14 points, Manu Ginobili 13 and Michael Finley 10 for San Antonio.

The club will open a four-game road trip on Saturday against Houston.

Orlando has lost 12 of its last 14 at San Antonio.