Howard has 30 points and 16 rebounds, Orlando runs over Houston 110-92

Howard, Magic beat Rockets 110-92

HOUSTON — Dwight Howard had 30 points and 16 rebounds on a perfect shooting night to help the Orlando Magic cruise to a 110-92 victory over the Houston Rockets on Wednesday night.

Howard scored all of his points in the last three quarters after sitting out all but 22 seconds of the first period after committing two quick fouls. The All-Star was 11 of 11 on field goals.

The Magic used a 37-point second quarter to take a commanding lead and the Rockets never really threatened after that.

Houston cut it to 97-88 on Chase Budinger’s 3-pointer with about 3½ minutes remaining. But Vince Carter hit a 3-pointer seconds later to stretch the lead back to double figures and send most of the fans heading to the exits.

Carter’s 3 started an 8-0 run that insured Houston’s third straight loss. He finished with 16 points. Jameer Nelson had 17 points and had nine assists for Orlando.

With his performance Wednesday, Howard set a franchise record with his 19th straight double-double, breaking Shaquille O’Neal’s mark.

New acquisition Kevin Martin had two first points in the first half on free throws after going 0 for 5 on field goals. He was 1 for 9 late in the third quarter before scoring six straight points to start a 17-8 run that cut Orlando’s lead to 11 at 85-74 entering the last quarter.

Martin, one of four player acquired in last week’s trade that sent Tracy McGrady to the Knicks, added four free throws at the end of that run and finished with 19 points.

Aaron Brooks led Houston with 24 points and Shane Battier had 14 points as the Rockets continue to adjust to their new lineup.

The Magic led 23-18 after the first quarter despite Howard sitting out almost the entire quarter after getting two fouls in the first 22 seconds.

He returned for the second quarter and immediately got going, scoring 10 points in the first six minutes of the quarter and had 12 points and eight rebounds by halftime. The Magic led by four before going on a 10-0 run to push the lead to 43-29 about 4½ minutes before halftime.

Brooks hit a 3-pointer after that run before Orlando scored nine straight points to stretch its advantage to 52-32.

The Magic led 60-40 at halftime.

NOTES: Orlando’s Rashard Lewis, who went to Elsik High School in a suburb of Houston, had 13 points. … Orlando’s 37 second quarter points are the most by a Houston opponent this season. … Hilton Armstrong had two points and two rebounds in his Houston debut after last week’s trade.