The insinuation is that Nelson also can score points along with passing, and he showed that natural trait Monday night in the Magic's 109-98 victory against the Golden State Warriors at Oracle Arena.

Nelson ignited a third-quarter run and tied a career-high with 32 points as the Magic won their second consecutive game without star center Dwight Howard.

Orlando (19-6) finished its longest road trip of the season with a 4-1 record to improve to 10-3 out of town.

The Magic hope Howard and his sore left knee are ready for the club's next game -- Thursday at home against the San Antonio Spurs.

As in their victory on Saturday night against the Utah Jazz without Howard, the Magic relied on help from assorted players, and this time two unusual suspects: rookie guard Courtney Lee and center Marcin Gortat, Howard's replacement.

Gortat, in his second season, had career highs of 16 points and 13 rebounds, and Lee scored 16 points. Tony Battie also took up the slack for Howard, grabbing 12 boards.

Rashard Lewis finished with 21 points on 8-of-15 shooting. Nelson made 13-of-25 attempts as the Magic shot 48 percent, including 10-of-20 from 3-point range against the 7-18 Warriors.

With the Magic's six-point halftime lead whittled to one, Nelson went on a scoring rampage, nailing three consecutive 3-pointers as part of his 15-point period.

Lee's basket gave Orlando a 10-point cushion at 77-67 heading into the final quarter.

Hedo Turkoglu shot off some shooting struggles to hit a 3-pointer and another bucket in the fourth, and Nelson's 3-pointer gave the Magic a 93-78 lead midway through the period.

Orlando held a 46-40 halftime lead after warming up from an icy start to shoot 55 percent in the second period, making 11-of-20 shots.

The most surprising part of that shooting display was that the Magic shot just one 3-pointer and missed, all their baskets coming via the traditional manner.

Surprise No. 2 was their leading scorer in the period: Gortat, who had six points on 3-of-5 shooting.

Gortat nearly posted a double-double in the first half, with 10 points and nine rebounds.

For the first time on the trip, the Magic didn't get off to a quick early lead.

They shot poorly, but the Warriors couldn't find the range, either.

Orlando still managed a 21-20 lead after the opening period, riding Lewis' nine points and Gortat's strong start (four points, six rebounds and two blocks).

No one was colder on the floor than Warriors forward Stephen Jackson.

He came in hitting just 10 of his last 50 shots, and was 1-for-11 at intermission.

Gortat made his first start on Saturday night, replacing Howard against the Jazz, and was beaming after his four-point, four-block debut..

"It really means a lot to me," said the Polish-born Gortat. "It was my first time starting. It was unexpected. I didn't know Dwight would miss a game -- ever miss a game.

"I just hoped to do my best and not do anything crazy. Focus on defense. . . . I did not want the team to get hurt on the boards because of me. I hope I didn't hurt the confidence of the coach in me."