The Orlando Magic took a three point halftime lead over the Houston Rockets in their home opener on Monday night. The Magic were led by a dominating performance from Dwight Howard. The All Star center, just one night after a quiet game against Oklahoma City, finished the first 24 minutes with 16 points and four rebounds. For the second straight night, Howard has also managed to stay out of foul trouble - committing only two so far.
J.J. Redick, coming off the bench, was the only other Magic player in double figures. Redick added another five points in the second quarter after a five point first. After his 25 point performance against the Thunder, starting power forward Ryan Anderson added eight points in the first half against a Rocket front line that has been overmatched. Anderson drilled two more treys in the first half - he's the one Orlando player to have had any success behind the arc in these first six quarters of the season.
Energy forward Luis Scola had an active first half but the Magic have held scoring dynamo Kevin Martin to just two points.
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