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NBA: Orlando 98, Charlotte 73

ORLANDO, Fla., April 15 (UPI) -- Tony Battie's 21 points led five players in double figures Wednesday and Orlando broke a three-game losing streak with a 98-73 rout of Charlotte.

Orlando stretched its 28-14 first period advantage to 57-38 by halftime and held a double-digit lead the entire second half.

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Battie's jumper gave the Southeast Division winner its biggest lead at 89-63 with 7:54 left in the third.

Mikael Pietrus scored 19 with three rebounds and five assists.

Rafer Alston scored 15 points, Marcin Gortat 11 with eight rebounds, while all-star center Dwight Howard scored 10 with 12 rebounds in only 24 minutes for the Magic, who will face Philadelphia in the first round of the NBA playoffs this weekend.

They played Wednesday without starters Hedo Turkoglu and Rashard Lewis.

Charlotte was led by Raymond Felton's 13 points.

Nazr Mohammed scored 12 with five rebounds, and Dontell Jefferson scored 10 with five rebounds and four assists for the Bobcats, who were swept 4-0 in the season series.

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