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Magic hold off Pistons

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The Associated Press

The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 7, 2009

ORLANDO - Dwight Howard had 22 points and 12 rebounds to help the Magic hold off Charlie Villanueva and the Detroit Pistons 110-103 on Friday night.

Villanueva scored 22 of his 28 points in the fourth quarter, but it wasn't enough to get past the defending Eastern Conference champs, who led by 19 early and never trailed.
Matt Barnes had 18 points and nine rebounds for the Magic and Jameer Nelson had 18 and eight assists.

Orlando had lost 20 of 25 regular-season games to the Pistons, including one this week.

The closest Detroit came was 96-90 after a shot by Villanueva with three minutes to play.
Rodney Stuckey scored 20 points, and Ben Gordon finished with 19 for the Pistons.

Three nights after fouling out with eight points in 17 minutes in an 85-80 loss in Auburn Hills, Mich., Howard was nearly perfect. He was 7-of -8 on field goals and 8-of-9 on free throws, and he didn't commit a foul until after halftime.

The Magic, who were already without Vince Carter (sprained left ankle) and Rashard Lewis (10-game suspension), lost starting power forward Ryan Anderson to a sprained right ankle.

Detroit was without starters Richard Hamilton (right ankle sprain) and Tayshaun Prince (lower back strain).

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