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From Orlando Sentinel

NBA Orlando Magic Magic 112, Kings 93

Orlando Magic rise to rout the Kings in 2nd half

Brian Schmitz | Sentinel Staff Writer
February 25, 2008

At this point, it isn't about Dwight Howard's super-big numbers or the ones on Rashard Lewis' contract. It isn't about Hedo Turkoglu's statistics that prove, retroactively, he's all-star worthy.

The Orlando Magic have reached the juncture in their development where what happens in the regular season, stays in the regular season.

This is all about a playoff-bound team acting like one . . . in late February.

The Magic did what teams with grander plans do Sunday night, coldly dispatching the Sacramento Kings 112-93 in front of a sellout crowd at Amway Arena.

"That's what Stan [Van Gundy] is coaching us for . . . to get ready for the playoffs," Lewis said.

The Magic, not Spurs-good or Pistons-good by any means, are still as susceptible to a flop as they are a fetching victory. They still are a postseason-hopeful on training wheels.

But this season they're more grown up, the offense suits them and when they play defense up to Van Gundy's specifications -- as they did Sunday -- the Magic look like they can be a tough out in the postseason.

The Magic's 36th win came in game No. 58; their 36th victory last season didn't come until game No. 77 on April 9. They should cruise past the 40-42 record posted in 2006-07, capable of their first 50-win season since 1995-96.

They are so far ahead of last season's pace there's no confusing the two teams.

"We're more seasoned. We're learning how to play as a playoff team," said Howard, who realizes his stature only will rise if the Magic contend. "Everything is predicated on winning. Numbers don't say anything about you. I'd always hear, 'He's good, but he can't get his team to win.' "

Van Gundy had talked about making home court meaningful for playoff time, and the Magic won their third consecutive game at Amway to improve to 16-11. Fourteen of their next 24 are at home.

Against the Kings, the Magic reminded themselves that even if their pop-a-shot offense struggles, nothing replaces good defense. They'll also need the bench in the postseason, and the reserves led the way in the fourth quarter to doom former Magic guard Reggie Theus' Kings team.

Leading by just six points to begin the fourth period, point guard Keyon Dooling and power forward Brian Cook spearheaded a 15-2 run that pushed the lead to 89-70. Dooling scored 12 of his 14 points in the quarter and Cook scored 11 points of his 14.

Van Gundy assigned Dooling and Cook to run the pick-and-roll, but didn't expect to stick with it long before sending in the starters.

"It was working so well that we just stayed with those guys," Van Gundy said. "He and Brian just kind of took care of things and stretched the lead and they did a good job on the defensive end. It wasn't the plan."

Cook had four of the Magic's 11 3-pointers. Rashard Lewis also added four as the club's 3-point barrage and recovery from last Wednesday's disaster in Toronto continued. Howard scored 26 points and had 10 rebounds while Lewis had 16 and Turkoglu 13. The Kings might be (26-29) without point guard Mike Bibby (traded to Atlanta), but they can still score. After surrendering 29 points in the opening quarter, the Magic -- who let the Kings run all over them in an early January loss -- played some solid defense. All you need to know is that Lewis finished with three blocks.

"I thought we contained them very well, which allowed us to stay in the game while we were not playing well offensively," Van Gundy said.

The Magic still have warts, but are fighting to post the franchise's best season in years.

"We've matured. We're definitely a playoff team. I don't care what the so-called experts say," point guard Jameer Nelson said.

Copyright © 2008, Orlando Sentinel

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