ORLANDO, Fla., April 7 (UPI) -- Dwight Howard had 31 points and 11 rebounds Saturday night as the Orlando Magic beat the Memphis Grizzlies, 116-89.
Orlando sprinted out to a 35-14 lead after the first quarter, and Memphis hardly challenged the rest of the way.
Howard sank 10 of 13 shots, Grant Hill and Hedo Turkoglu scored 15 points each, and Trevor Ariza had 14 points and four assists for the Magic, who are one game ahead of Indiana for the last spot -- and a game behind New Jersey for the seventh position -- in the Eastern Conference playoff race.
Orlando led, 61-44, at halftime.
Chucky Atkins led Memphis with 18 points and five assists. Tarance Kinsey scored 15 points, while Hakim Warrick and Pau Gasol scored 14 points apiece for the Grizzlies, who have lost five straight games.
