NBA: Orlando 120, Philadelphia 106

ORLANDO, Fla., Oct. 28 (UPI) -- A 21-point, 15-rebound effort from Dwight Howard Wednesday sent defending Eastern Conference champion Orlando rolling past Philadelphia 120-106.

Howard made 9-of-11 shots from the field and grabbed seven offensive boards. He was the catalyst last year in Orlando reaching the NBA Finals, where the Magic fell to the Los Angeles Lakers in five games.

Vince Carter, making his Orlando debut, scored 15 points. Carter came to Orlando this season in a trade with New Jersey.

Marreese Speights, beginning his second year with Philadelphia, produced a career-high 26 points. He missed just once in 11 shots from the field. Lou Williams added 18.

Orlando eliminated Philadelphia in the opening round of last year's playoffs.