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Lakers' Dwight Howard scores season-high 39, gets best of Magic in return game, 106-97

By: The Associated Press

Posted: 03/13/2013 1:06 AM | Comments: 0

Orlando Magic's Jameer Nelson (14) drive around Los Angeles Lakers' Dwight Howard (12) during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Tuesday, March 12, 2013, in Orlando, Fla. Los Angeles won the game 106-97.(AP Photo/John Raoux)

ORLANDO, Fla. - Dwight Howard scored a season-high 39 points, had 16 rebounds and was sent to the free throw line 39 times by his former team as the Los Angeles Lakers beat the Orlando Magic 106-97 on Tuesday.

The victory came in Howard's first return to Orlando since his drama-filled off-season trade to the Lakers. He endured a chorus of boos throughout, and tied his own NBA record for free throw attempts.

The victory was the Lakers' fourth straight.

Jameer Nelson led Orlando with 21 points.

Miami extended its winning streak to 19 games as Dwyane Wade scored 23 points in the Heat's 98-81 win over the Atlanta Hawks.

LeBron James scored 15 and Chris Bosh and Mario Chalmers added 14 each for the Heat, who matched the fifth-longest streak in NBA history. They will try for their 20th straight win on Wednesday at Philadelphia, the start of a five-game trip.

Josh Smith scored 15 for the Hawks.

Vince Carter hit three key 3-pointers in the fourth quarter and scored 23 points off the bench at Milwaukee as the Dallas Mavericks downed the Bucks 115-108.

Dirk Nowitzki added 19 points while O.J. Mayo had 14.

Monta Ellis scored 32 points for the Bucks, giving him 20 or more in all six of Milwaukee's games this month.

Zach Randolph returned from an ankle injury with 19 points and 10 rebounds for Memphis as the Grizzlies won their fifth straight game 102-97 over the Portland Trail Blazers.

Marc Gasol had 20 points for the Grizzlies, who have won 13 of their last 14 games and sit in fourth place in the Western Conference.

Brook Lopez scored 26 points and had a big dunk over twin brother Robin as the Brooklyn Nets beat the New Orleans Hornets 108-98, while Ricky Rubio had his first career triple-double with 21 points, 13 rebounds and 12 assists to lead the Minnesota Timberwolves over the San Antonio Spurs 107-83.

In other games, the Charlotte Bobcats defeated the Boston Celtics 100-74, and the Cleveland Cavaliers were 95-90 winners over the Washington Wizards.

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