Dwight Howard dazzles in Orlando Magic’s 113-87 win over Los Angeles Clippers

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Howard dazzles in Magic’s 113-87 win over Clippers

ORLANDO, Fla. — Dwight Howard had 22 points and 15 rebounds, and the Orlando Magic rolled past the Los Angeles Clippers, 113-87 on Tuesday night to tie a season high with their sixth straight victory.

Jameer Nelson had 17 points and Rashard Lewis added 15 to help the Magic take a 26-point halftime lead and cruise to a blowout after beating the Lakers in an NBA finals rematch Sunday.

Baron Davis fought through a stomach illness that forced him to miss the Clippers’ morning shootaround. He came off the bench to finish with 16 points, and Chris Kaman added 12 as Los Angeles lost for the sixth time in the last seven games.

The Clippers announced Tuesday that Mike Dunleavy and the team parted company for good, barely a month after he relinquished his head coaching duties to focus solely on being general manager.

The Magic were trying to muster whatever energy they had left after a big win against the Lakers in a bruising battle two days earlier.

Turned out, they had plenty.

Los Angeles’ other team didn’t take as much effort or offer as much talent to slow down Orlando. The Clippers had little intensity and allowed the Magic to put this one away early, turning things into a highlight show.

It was hardly a shocker that Howard led the way — except for the way he did.

Sure, Howard had his blocks, swatting one of Drew Gooden’s shots into the seats near the Clippers’ bench. And he had his dunks, hustling on one play to beat Kaman down court and finish with a two-handed slam.

But his ballhandling skills? That one surprised everybody.

The All-Star center took a rebound and led a fast break late in the second quarter. He made a quick dribble down the lane before he dished to Brandon Bass for a dunk, bringing a crowd that had exhausted itself two days earlier back to its feet.

Howard spread his arms wide mimicking an airplane in celebration, smiling, laughing, rousing the fans in a game that otherwise lacked drama. The play highlighted a big first half for the Magic and their big man, with Howard’s 18 points and 11 rebounds — playing all 24 minutes — before intermission giving them a 67-41 lead.

It was obvious Magic coach Stan Van Gundy wanted to seal the victory quickly. He played Howard the first 32 minutes before relieving his star center for good.

That was just too much for the Clippers.

NOTES: Gooden makes his home in the Orlando area, but getting to sleep in his own bed Monday night was more than just a perk. Gooden, who has had two stints with the Magic and shuffled around the league the last eight years, said this is the first season he hasn’t taken his bed to his new team’s city. “The bed was so good, I took two naps today,” he said. “I was always told your bed is more important than your car.” … Magic SF Matt Barnes and reserve C Adonal Foyle both celebrated birthdays Tuesday. Barnes turned 30, and Foyle is now 35. … Yankees ace CC Sabathia was sitting in the first row on the baseline.