Magic begin road trip against Clippers

Orlando will try and win its second straight game. Dwight Howard poured in 19 points and grabbed 12 rebounds, as the Magic rolled past the Charlotte Bobcats, 108-92, on Saturday at TD Waterhouse Centre.

Steve Francis finished with 18 points, five rebounds and six assists in the win over Charlotte for the Magic, who snapped a three-game losing streak. Jameer Nelson contributed 18 points in the victory. Orlando played without Grant Hill, who left Friday’s 113-106 loss to the New Jersey Nets with a groin injury.

Hill, who has played in just 10 contests this season, is questionable for tonight’s game. The Duke product is averaging 16.7 points and 4.6 rebounds per contest.

The Magic, who have lost four in a row on the road, are 4-9 as the visitor this season. They will also visit Seattle, Portland and Sacramento on the current road trip.

LA, which has lost two straight games, plays the second of a season-long seven-game homestand. On Saturday, Kobe Bryant scored 50 points and hit the go-ahead bank shot in the lane with 11.4 seconds left, as the Lakers rallied from a 13-point deficit to beat the Clippers, 112-109, in another battle of Los Angeles at the Staples Center.

Cuttino Mobley poured in a season-high 36 points in the loss to the Lakers for the Clippers, but his three-pointer to tie the game came after the final buzzer sounded. Elton Brand finished with 28 points and 10 rebounds for the Clippers, who have dropped nine of their last 12 games overall.

The Clippers are 10-5 as the host this season. They will also host Seattle, Utah, Phoenix, Dallas and Golden State on their homestand.

This is the first of two meetings between the clubs this season. The Magic are scheduled to host the Clippers on February 1st at the TD Waterhouse Centre.

The Clippers have won three of four and four of the last six meetings in this series. Orlando has dropped two in a row and four of its last five at the Clippers.