PORTLAND, Ore., Dec. 10 (UPI) -- Andre Miller scored 22 points Thursday and the Portland Trail Blazers overcame a slow start to defeat Orlando 97-83.
The Magic opened a four-game western trip by losing their third straight. Orlando is trying to regain its typical form after going through a week in which four players missed action due to a stomach virus.
Portland scored only 14 points in the first period and fell behind by eight, then dominated the rest of the game. The Trail Blazers took the lead for good midway through the third period and opened as much as a 15-point advantage in the fourth.
The Trail Blazers have won three straight.
Wesley Matthews added 20 points for Portland while both LaMarcus Aldridge and Nicolas Batum had 14.
Dwight Howard poured in 39 points for the Magic, hitting 13-of-19 from the field and 13-of-18 from the line. He also grabbed 15 rebounds.
