Game review: Magic (6-2) 93, Bobcats (3-3) 81

The Magic welcomed back Vince Carter in a bench role, as he saw his first action in a week from a sprained ankle, and he tied with Dwight Howard for the team lead in scoring with 15 points as the Magic bounced back from their debacle Sunday night against Oklahoma City.

The Bobcats' only lead of the game came at 2-0. The Magic, who shot nearly 70% in the first quarter, led 35-23 after one, and extended their lead to 57-35 in the second quarter before settling for a 57-41 halftime lead. The Bobcats made their run in the third quarter, cutting the Magic lead to 77-71 after three. The Bobcats could come no closer in the final quarter, as the Magic extended their lead to 91-77 with under 4 1/2 minutes remaining before the final margin.

Magic leading scorers

Vince Carter (bench): 15 points (5 of 16 FG)
Dwight Howard: 15 points (7 of 13 FGs), 10 rebounds, 6 assists, 5 turnovers
Brandon Bass: 14 points (7 of 9 FGs)
Mickael Pietrus: 12 points (5 of 11 FGs)

Overall Game Statistics

FG%: ORL 46.9% (38 of 81) CHA 44.2% (34 of 77)
3 PT FG%: ORL 36% (9 of 25) CHA 11.8% (2 of 17)
FT%: CHA 78.6% (11 of 14) ORL 57.1% (8 of 14)
REB: CHA 39 (9 offensive) ORL 37 (9 offensive)
AST/TO: ORL 21/14 CHA 18/17
BENCH: ORL 38 CHA 21

Other game notes and statistics

-The Bobcats had 5 players in double figures, led by Raymond Felton with 18 points; Boris Diaw added 14 points, 8 assists, 6 rebounds, and Gerald Wallace13 points, 9 rebounds, 3 steals
-The Magic shot 22 of 58 from the second quarter on
-The Bobcats' starting center, Tyson Chandler, had 5 fouls in just 11 minutes
-Bass scored 12 of his 14 points in the first quarter, and made his first 6 shots
-The Magic starting guard combo of Jameer Nelson and J.J. Redick combined for 17 points
-The Magic remain 1/2 game out of first place behind 6-1 Miami in the SE division

Here is the complete box score and recap from nba.com