ORLANDO, (Reuters) – The Orlando Magic ended a poor run of form by surging to a 123-101 victory over the San Antonio Spurs on Thursday, the stunning triumph snapping the visiting team’s 10-game winning streak.
The Magic outscored the Spurs 30-2 on fast-break points to win for the first time in five games and for just the second time in their last 10 contests.
“It just feels good to see everybody on the same page,” Orlando’s Dwight Howard told reporters.
“Knowing that this is the way we have to play to be successful and for us to try and do it for 48 minutes.”
Howard led the Magic with 29 points and 14 rebounds, while forward Brandon Bass and reserve guard J.J. Reddick each added 17 points.
Howard, a four-time All-Star, sank 11-of-13 shots from the floor, 7-of-12 from the line, and had three blocks.
Newly acquired Gilbert Arenas led the team with nine assists and added 14 points, including seven in the second quarter.
“I thought he (Arenas) made probably the biggest difference, scoring a bunch of points,” Spurs center Tim Duncan said.
“He came in and shot the ball well and extended that lead for them.”
Point guards Tony Parker and Gary Neal had 16 points apiece for the Spurs, who lost heavily despite having eight players score in double digits.
Orlando led by just two at the end of the first quarter but outscored San Antonio by 19 over the middle two periods on the strength of 20 points by Howard to take command of the game.
The Magic hit 60 percent of their shots, including 13-of-25 from beyond the arc.
