Orlando Magic bag third straight with a win over Phoenix Suns

The Orlando Magic came out firing right from the opening tip as they cruised past Phoenix Suns, 105-89, for their third straight win on Thursday 18 November at the Amway Center in Orlando, Florida. Dwight Howard dominated inside as he finished the game with 20 points and 12 rebounds, while Jameer Nelson racked up 15 points and season-high 12 assists for Orlando, who took advantage of Steve Nash’s absence. The two-time MVP, Nash, missed the game with a sore groin, and the Suns struggled to execute their offence without their crafty point guard that led to their second-straight humbling defeat. “Everything on that team revolves around Steve Nash, so they didn't have him tonight and they struggled,” said Magic head coach Stan Van Gundy after the game. “They are an up-and-down team that scores a lot of points. And without Steve Nash, it's hard for them to play at that pace.” Quentin Richardson also had an outstanding game with his 15 points on 6-for-10 shooting, while Rashard Lewis and Vince Carter added 13 points apiece for the Magic, who built an early 31-15 lead at the end of the first period. Orlando continued to sizzle in the second period and they built a huge 62-34 half-time lead, and they never looked back to take their eighth win in their first 11 games this season. Goran Dragic started for the first time this season and he finished with 10 points, four assists, and four rebounds, while veteran forward Grant Hill had 21 points for the Suns, who absorbed a 123-96 loss against the Miami Heat on Wednesday 17 November. “Trust me. I've come to Florida before and lost twice, too,” said Hill on their two-straight lopsided defeat. “It's always tough to lose on national television twice, but we've got some new guys. We are still learning each other. It's a long season.” After the game, Suns head coach Alvin Gentry said that Nash could have played but they opted to sit him out to avoid aggravating his injury, but their decision took away the flow of their offence especially their run-and-gun style of play. “Can they play without Dwight? Can the Lakers play without Kobe? Nash is our Kobe; he is our Dwight. He's the engine that makes the car go,” said Gentry after the game. Steve Nash is expected to return on Saturday 20 November, and help the Suns in their bid to end their two-game skid against the Charlotte Bobcats. The Magic, on the other hand, will try to make it four-straight when they travel to Indianapolis to face the Indiana Pacers also on Saturday 20 November.