Howard sparks Magic's Wizards victory

Türkoğlu was only 4-for-12 from the field, and contributed to the win with two assists, two rebounds and blocked one shot, as Orlando’s giant center Howard was shining.

Howard scored a season-high 31 points, grabbed 16 rebounds and blocked three shots to help the Magic (4-2) take over second place in the Southeast Division after a 0-2 start.

Orlando built a 58-39 halftime lead and blew the game open in the third quarter when Howard scored 12 points.

"Dwight was outstanding," Magic coach Stan van Gundy told reporters. "I've seen him have numbers like that before but I'm not sure he's played a better game since I've been here."

Van Gundy was especially pleased with his center's patience.

"He wasn't forcing anything, he was making great plays and passes and letting the game come to him. Two turnovers in 35 minutes... It was a real great game for him and he just looked like a more mature professional guy down in the low post."

Mickael Pietrus added 18 points and Keith Bogans had 13, all in the first half.

Bogans also drew praise from Van Gundy for his defensive effort in the first two periods.

"I didn't do anything different," Bogans told reporters. "I do what I do every game. I come out, try to keep the intensity going and try to stay up in guy's faces because he (Van Gundy) looks for me to bring energy and defense off the bench."
 
Washington (0-5), last-placed in the Southeast Division and the only Eastern Conference team without a win this season, was paced by Nick Young with 20 points.

Wizards coach Eddie Jordan did not play any of his regulars in the fourth quarter.

"I wanted to get them some experience," Jordan said.

Washington's top two scorers, Caron Butler and Antawn Jamison, were held to 10 and seven points.

"It's extra disappointing when you're in the position we're in, and for us not to come out with the energy and focus that we needed for this game," Jamison told reporters. "It was frustrating."

The Wizards, who also started last season 0-5, are playing without key scorer Gilbert Arenas and center Brendan Haywood. Both are sidelined indefinitely with injuries.

"We need people to play basketball," Jamison said. "We're not going to make excuses. It's just disappointing to start the season off -- again -- on a slow foot."