Jameer Nelson sank the game-winning three-point shot as time expired to lead the Orlando Magic to an 85-82 victory over the Denver Nuggets. Danilo Gallinari, out since Feb. 25, came off the bench for Denver and scored 17 points, 10 coming at the free-throw line. He also pulled down six rebounds.
The Nuggets as a team shot only 35.9 percent from the field, not helped at all by making only 6-of-23 from beyond the arc. Wilson Chandler had a game-high 20 points but also six turnovers. Nene and Kenyon Martin had solid games around the boards, pulling down nine and 10 rebounds, respectively. They combined for 22 points as well. Arron Afflalo and Raymond Felton both shot 2-of-11 from the field, though Felton dished the ball out for seven assists and grabbed six boards.
But the Magic were led by Dwight Howard's 16 points and 18 rebounds. He also had five blocks, half the team's total, and four of the team's 10 steals. All five starters scored at least 13 points: Howard (16), Hedo Turkoglu (15) and Brandon Bass, Jameer Nelson and Jason Richardson (13 points each).
The loss snapped the team's three-game road winning streak. Raymond Felton wound up with a sprained ankle and is listed as day-to-day.
The Nuggets (41-28, 14-21 away) don't get any rest as they head to Miami for a game with the Heat on Saturday night. Altitude will have the broadcast at 5:30 p.m. MT, but for those out of area, NBA TV will broadcast the game, too.