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Howard dominates as Magic eliminate Philadelphia

The Cleveland Cavaliers' LeBron James, left, and Anderson Varejao, center, clown on the bench as Sasha Pavlovic watches during the fourth quarter of the Cavaliers' 110-76 win over the Atlanta Hawks on Saturday in Cleveland, Ohio. PHOTO: AP

Dwight Howard was perfect for a half and dominant the whole game, scoring a career-high 35 points with 11 rebounds to lead the Orlando Magic over the 76ers 104-87 to eliminate Philadelphia from the NBA playoff race on Saturday.

Orlando strengthened its hold on eighth place, moving two games ahead of Indiana.

Howard made all 10 shots in the first half and passed his previous high of 32 points with a free throw late in the fourth quarter. He scored 18 in the first period.

Andre Miller led the Sixers with 18 points. Andre Iguodala, Kyle Korver and Louis Williams each scored 14. Iguodala missed two games with a strained lower back and Korver sat out three with a sprained wrist before returning.

Grizzlies 133, Nuggets 118

At Memphis, Tennessee, Chucky Atkins had 28 points and 12 assists, Tarence Kinsey scored a career-high 28 and Memphis snapped Denver's eight-game win streak.

Memphis ended a six-game losing skid and had six players score in double-figures.

Cavaliers 110, Hawks 76

At Cleveland, LeBron James scored 23 points, Sasha Pavlovic added 15 and Cleveland ran the floor at will against Atlanta.

Cleveland's win kept them on pace with Chicago for the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference.

Rockets 123, Hornets 112

At Houston, Yao Ming scored 30 points, Tracy McGrady got 11 of his 25 points in the final five minutes and Houston ended a three-game home losing streak. Rafer Alston added 21 points and a season-high 13 assists for the Rockets.

Bobcats 113, Bucks 92

At Milwaukee, rookie Walter Herrmann scored a season-high 30 points and Charlotte hit a flurry of 3-point shots to beat Milwaukee.

The Bobcats shot 9-for-17 from 3-point range as Milwaukee's perimeter defenders often got stuck trying to help out their undermanned interior defense.

Suns 126, Jazz 98

At Salt Lake City, Steve Nash had 18 assists, Leandro Barbosa scored 28 points and Phoenix downed Utah to move one step closer to clinching the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference.

The Suns won their fifth in a row and need to win one of their last two or have San Antonio lose once in its final three games to lock up the second-best record in the NBA.

Trail Blazers 108, Sonics 102

At Portland, Oregon, Jarrett Jack scored 25 points, Travis Outlaw matched his career-high with 22 and Portland beat Seattle.

Rashard Lewis had 29 points for the Sonics, who have lost seven of their last eight and have the fifth-worst record in the NBA. Chris Wilcox added 20.

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