Magic try to extend winning streak vs. Heat

Miami is No. 2 in the Eastern Conference playoff race and owns a 3 1/2 game lead over the third-seeded New Jersey Nets.

On Saturday, Shaquille O’Neal posted 27 points and 10 rebounds and Derek Anderson netted 20 to lead Miami over the Washington Wizards, 99-86, at the Verizon Center.

Gary Payton ended with 13 points and eight assists, while Udonis Haslem also scored 13 and grabbed 14 rebounds in the win over Washington for the Heat. Dwyane Wade totaled 11 points and also dished out eight assists for Miami, which has won two of its last three games overall.

The Heat, who play the first of a four-game homestand, are 29-8 at home this season. They will also host Toronto, Philadelphia and Chicago on the current stand.

Orlando has won three straight games. On Friday, Jameer Nelson scored the final four points of the contest, including a fadeaway jump shot over Tayshaun Prince with just 6.5 seconds remaining, to give the Magic a thrilling 89-87 victory over the Detroit Pistons at TD Waterhouse Centre.

Hedo Turkoglu led the Magic with 26 points in the win over Detroit, but was helped off the court at the end of regulation after falling awkwardly going after a rebound. He is questionable for tonight’s contest.

The Magic are just 8-30 on the road this season.

Miami is the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference playoff race. On Saturday,

The Heat are an impressive 29-8 at home this season.

This is the fourth and final meeting of the season between the squads. The teams split a pair of games at TD Waterhouse Centre, while the Heat beat the Magic, 107-93, on February 14th at AmericanAirlines Arena.

Orlando has lost five straight after winning its last two at Miami.