Dwight Howard had 28 points and 10 rebounds as the Orlando Magic overwhelmed defending Euroleague champion CSKA Moscow 94-66 in an exhibition game on Friday.
Howard was 10-for-12 from the floor and added five steals in 28 minutes, Hedo Turkoglu scored 16 points and Rashard Lewis added 15 as the Magic improved to 2-1 in exhibition games.
“The obvious difference in the game was Dwight Howard,” Magic coach Stan Van Gundy said. “I don’t think they have anybody like him in the Euroleague. They didn’t have a chance to stop him and he really kept taking it at them.”
PHOTO: AP
Former University of Maryland star Terence Morris led CSKA with 16 points and ex-Duke University star Trajan Langdon had 12. The Moscow team will wrap up a two-game series against NBA teams on Tuesday at Toronto.
The Magic flexed their muscle and speed early, running up a 37-19 lead in the first quarter. Howard had 16 points in the first quarter, including 11 straight during a 20-2 run.
CSKA caught up to Orlando’s pace in the second quarter, but the Russian team could not find an answer for Howard, who had 23 points and eight rebounds by halftime.
“Dwight was overwhelming,” said CSKA’s former Kansas University center Sasha Kaun, who was saddled with guarding Howard most of the game. “I played against him in some high school all-star games five years ago and he has really developed some offensive skills. He is so strong and quick that it’s really tough to stay with him.”
Magic reserve forward Tony Battie, who missed all of last season with a shoulder injury, fractured the ring finger on his left hand at a shootaround on Friday morning. He sat out the game, but team officials described it as a minor injury and expected Battie to practice yesterday.
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