The Indiana Pacers, usually a run-and-gun type of team, had to tweak their playbook as they visited Amway Arena to take on the Orlando Magic Monday night. After all, they were going against the best center on the league, one Dwight Howard. Of course, it doesn’t hurt knowing they also have Vince Carter. Nonetheless, the physicality that the Pacers tried to apply to Howard had little effect as he scored 21 points and grabbed 23 rebounds, leading Orlando to the 106-98 win over Indiana.

The Pacers managed to slow down Howard early and rushed out to an early 34-17 lead early in the second quarter; but Carter turned things around for the Magic as he scored 14 first-quarter points and got strong efforts from J.J. Redick and Anthony Johnson. As a result, Orlando slowly edged closer, which energized Howard. During a stretch in the second period, Howard swatted away a Troy Murphy layup, sprinted to the other end for the rebound off Matt Barnes’ missed 3-pointer and slammed it down over the Pacers’ Solomon Jones to start a three-point play. That capped a Magic 28-10 run which helped close Indiana’s lead to 54-53 at the half.

The third quarter was nip-and-tuck as Indiana held only a 5-point lead at the 9:00 mark of the period but a Howard free throw gave Orlando the lead at 65-64; the Pacers had a 5-point lead with 2:23 remaining but six quick points by the Magic near the end of the frame put them to within two at 81-79 going into the fourth quarter. The final 12 minutes was a period of several lead changes until 2:!1 left in the game when Rashard Lewis drained a trey, icing the game for Orlando.

Carter led the Magic with 28 points, 7 rebounds and 3 assists while Howard had a 20-20 night, scoring 21 with 23 rebounds, an assist and 4 blocks. Indiana was led by Mike Dunleavy with 26 points, 4 rebounds and 2 assists while Murphy added 14 with 6 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals.

Orlando (18-6) plays again on Wednesday when they host the Toronto Raptors while Indiana (8-14) return home to host the Charlotte Bobcats – also on Wednesday night.