ORLANDO, Fla. — Dwight Howard had 21 points and 21 rebounds and the Orlando Magic advanced to the second round of the playoffs for the first time in 12 years, beating the Toronto Raptors 102-92 on Monday night to close out their series in five games.
It was Howard’s third game with at least 20 points and 20 rebounds in the series.
Raptors forward Chris Bosh, who posted career playoff highs of 39 points and 15 rebounds at Toronto on Saturday, had 16 points and nine rebounds. Bosh was frustrated down low by Howard, shooting 7-of-19 and picking up a third-quarter technical foul after the Magic star powered past him for a layup.
“He’s a phenom. He’s the best center in the league,” Bosh said. “He’s probably the strongest guy in the league, and he knows how to use his body.”
Keyon Dooling’s free throw after the technical on Bosh put the Magic ahead 73-66 with less than a minute left in the third quarter, and Orlando kept that cushion until midway through the fourth. Carlos Delfino hit a jumper and Bosh made two free throws in four trips to the line, plus a hook shot over Howard, to draw the Raptors within 84-82.
The Magic, which shot the fourth-best percentage in the NBA from 3-point range this season, struggled from long range, but made them when it counted. Keith Bogans and Jameer Nelson each hit one and Howard added a layup as the Magic answered with an 8-0 run over 3:13 to open a 92-82 lead, then its largest of the game.
