Rashard Lewis may have missed the first 10 games of this season, but he is making up for it now. Lewis has been the key to the Magic's recent surge, winning 10 of their last 11 games, which are the only 11 in which Lewis has played. Lewis struggled initially after his 10-game NBA suspension for violating the league's substance abuse policy, but his long-distance shooting now is better than ever.
Lewis will go into Thursday's game in Utah having made 19 of his last 33 three-point shots. He hit four of seven in Tuesday's victory in Los Angeles against the Clippers.
Lewis led the NBA last season in both three-pointers attempted (554) and three-pointers made (220). He might not reach those totals without the first 10 games, but he hopes to beat the 39.7 percent he shot last season.
"It feels good right now. I'm comfortable," he said.
The Magic are hoping to complete a four-game West Coast sweep, matching what the rival Celtics did during a recent road trip when they won all four games.
The Magic will face Utah and then Phoenix. They started the trip by winning at Golden State. The next two games will be on national television.
MAGIC 97, CLIPPERS 86: Dwight Howard had 25 points, 11 rebounds, seven blocked shots and five assists in leading the Magic to their eighth consecutive win on the road. The victory allowed the Magic to match the Celtics for the best record in the Eastern Conference (17-4). The Magic led almost the entire game against the Clippers. It also gave them a franchise record for consecutive road victories in the same season. They did win nine consecutive over two seasons, a mark they will try and match Thursday in Utah.
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