Nelson paces Magic past Blazers

Dwight Howard added 21 points and grabbed 18 rebounds, eight on the offensive glass, for the Magic, who have won two straight on their four-game home stand.

DeShawn Stevenson notched 16 points and Hedo Turkoglu contributed 15 points for Orlando, which shot 53 percent from the floor.

Darius Miles scored 23 points and Sebastian Telfair chipped in 20 points and dished out eight assists for Portland, which has lost two straight games.

Joel Przybilla filled the box score with 15 points, 12 rebounds and four blocks for the Blazers, who struggled offensively over the final 36 minutes.

Portland jumped out to a 35-27 lead after the opening quarter, despite the Magic shooting 68 percent from the floor. The Blazers grabbed six offensive rebounds, four by Przybilla, and made 6-of-7 free throws in the period.

Orlando opened the second quarter with a 24-6 run to take a 51-41 lead. Nelson went on his own 8-0 streak within the scoring outburst, driving straight to the rim for three straight lay-ins before connecting on a mid-range jumper with 7:30 left in the half.

The Blazers trimmed the lead to 56-53 at the break behind 13 points and eight rebounds from Przybilla. Howard notched 15 points, 12 in the first quarter, for the Magic.

Early in the third, Stevenson slashed off a double screen and streaked to the basket, absorbed contact, and laid it in off the glass. The subsequent free throw completed the three-point play and gave Orlando its largest lead to that point, 73-62.

The lead fluctuated between eight and 14 the rest of the period, and the Magic took a 81-69 lead into the fourth quarter. Orlando outscored Portland 54-34 in the second and third periods after the sluggish start.

Nelson scored five points during a quick 7-0 burst over just 1:40 to give Orlando a 95-78 cushion late in the final period, and it was never threatened the rest of the way.

Game Notes

Portland has won 12 of last 19 meetings...The Blazers had a six-game winning streak in Orlando snapped...Portland is 1-5 on the road this season...The Magic’s 104 points are the most they’ve scored this season...Nelson outscored the Portland bench by himself, 24-19...Steve Francis tallied 12 points, nine assists and five rebounds for the Magic.