Recap: Orlando vs. Phoenix

By Sports Network

Orlando, FL (Sports Network) - Dwight Howard scored 25 points -- 17 in a dominant third quarter -- and the Orlando Magic responded from their first loss with a 122-100 rout of the Phoenix Suns, who had started their season with four straight wins.

Ryan Anderson contributed 20 points and 10 rebounds -- seven offensive boards -- for the Magic, who outscored the Suns, 34-26, in the third and improved their record to 4-1. Jameer Nelson added 16 points and 10 assists, while Mickael Pietrus had 15 points in the win.

Orlando was red-hot from beyond the arc, shooting 12-for-23, compared to the Suns, who went just 7-of-22.

Amare Stoudemire led Phoenix with 25 points and 14 rebounds, but the Suns failed in their attempt to go 5-0 for the first time since 1984-85. Steve Nash, who had 50 assists in the team's first four games, had just four to go with 12 points on Wednesday.

Jared Dudley and Goran Dragic came off the bench to add 17 and 15 points, respectively, for Phoenix.

The Magic, ahead by six at halftime, dominated at the outset of the third quarter, scoring 25 of the period's first 33 points to go in front, 83-60.

Howard's layup in the first minute made it 61-52, and after a Stoudemire basket, the Magic scored seven straight points, ending on another layup from Howard for a 14-point lead just over two minutes in.

A three-pointer from Nash seemed to halt the rally, but Anderson and Matt Barnes drained consecutive shots from beyond the arc, and Howard followed with four straight points for a 78-57 lead.

Howard's six-foot basket just before the midway point of the third made it 83-60, and Orlando held a hefty 92-78 lead heading to the fourth.

Phoenix trailed by double-digits the entire fourth quarter, as Orlando cruised to the victory.

Tied, 7-7, early in the first, the Magic went on a dominating 20-6 burst to take a 27-13 lead. Anderson had seven on the run, but Phoenix responded with a 12-2 stretch to end the quarter down just 29-25.

The Suns made it a two-point game early in the second, but the Magic answered with a 13-4 run to go back in front, 44-33, on a Nelson 13-foot shot. Phoenix closed the quarter strong again, though, cutting its deficit to 58-52 at halftime.