The road just doesn't bother the Magic like it does many teams. They are heading to a back-to-back set in Milwaukee on Saturday and New York on Sunday, and they are expecting to win both games and build on the best record in the Eastern Conference. The Magic (12-4) have the same 6-2 record on the road as they have at home this season, a fact that isn't surprising to a team that has been one of the league's best road teams the last two seasons. The Magic thumped the Hawks in Atlanta, 93-76 on Thanksgiving night. They fell behind early by 14 points. They were frustrated, too, as coach Stan Van Gundy, Dwight Howard and J.J. Redick all got technical fouls for arguing calls. But they owned the fourth quarter even though they were coming off a tough loss at home Wednesday night.
"We seem to focus well on the road," said Magic guard Anthony Johnson.
The Magic will be bracing for Milwaukee's rising rookie star, Brandon Jennings, who is averaging 24 points and surprising the entire league with his sparkling play early this season.
Vince Carter will be getting the assignment to guard him much of the night, but it's nothing he hasn't done recently -- he guarded Dwyane Wade of Miami on Wednesday.
"With any of those guys, it's not a one-on-one battle," Carter said. "It takes a team defense to stop a great scorer, and we're coming together as a team."
HEAT 93, HAWKS 76: Dwight Howard returned to his hometown and dominated the Atlanta Hawks, getting 22 points and 17 rebounds in a big win for the Magic. The Magic had lost the night before in Orlando to Miami, but they rebounded by beating the Hawks (11-4) and regained the lead in the Southeast Division. They also got a big game from backup point guard Anthony Johnson, who had 17 points when starter Jason Williams struggled early.
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