Orlando snaps Miami winning streak

Dwight Howard was a force, scoring 17 points and pulling down 11 rebounds for the Magic, who had dropped four of five coming in and are fighting for one of the final Eastern Conference playoff spots.

Darko Milicic also posted a double-double with 12 points and 10 boards.

Shaquille O’Neal scored 20 points while James Posey donated 14 points and seven rebounds for Miami, which had a nine-game winning streak halted. The Heat had also won their last 14 contests at home heading into Sunday’s game.

Orlando used a 16-4 run in the latter stages of the first quarter to gain separation. Turkoglu had six points in the surge, including a driving finger roll with 1:48 left that put his team in front 24-14.

Trevor Ariza’s two free throws just before time expired made it 28-16 after 12 minutes of play.

The Heat stayed within striking distance for most of the second stanza, but Orlando scored the last seven points of the half to take a 55-37 advantage into the locker room. Turkoglu provided the exclamation point, nailing a three with just one second left to further cushion the lead.

The crowd began to stir after Dorell Wright threw down a reverse dunk with 49 ticks left in the third, capping a 6-0 spurt that brought the home team within 12. J.J. Redick responded immediately with a three-pointer, however, to calm any comeback hopes. Keyon Dooling then hit a fadeaway jumper as time expired to give the Magic a 76-59 lead after three quarters.

Miami didn’t seriously threaten in the fourth.

Game Notes

Heat guard Gary Payton, who aggravated a groin injury against Sacramento on Friday, did not play...Orlando improved to just 11-23 as the visitor this season....The Magic have won four in a row versus the Heat.