Because the Houston Rockets are “size-challenged”, they tend to do what the Golden State Warriors do – play “small ball.” And that certainly didn’t change when they on Wednesday night visited Amway Arena to take on the Orlando Magic. As a matter of fact. because of their size disadvantage, they had an obstacle in their way – Dwight Howard.

Howard, no doubt feeling like the proverbial kid on the candy store, benefited as he out-muscled the Magic frontcourt to the tune of 13 points and 20 rebounds, enabling Houston to coast to the easy 102-87 win over Houston.

Howard, who has struggled for most of his career against Yao Ming (who was absent,by the way), threw down a series of dunks in the opening quarter to get the Magic off to a fast start. Orlando ended the first quarter on a 14-2 spurt highlighted by a pair of 3-pointers by Ryan Anderson, taking a 34-22 lead. Houston rallied in the second to close to 55-52 at halftime. The Rockets made five of 12 3-pointers in the opening half.

Although it wasn’t the largest of scoring nights for Howard, he cleaned up the glass and swatted away mistakes on the defensive end. His presence in the paint led to a 15-0 run that put Orlando ahead 76-60 late in the third quarter. The Rockets cut the deficit to eight late in the fourth, but Rashard Lewis and Vince Carter each hit a 3-pointer to help the Magic hold on.

Carter led all Magic scorers with 18 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists while Lewis and Jameer Nelson added 15 apiece – with Lewis making 4 three-pointers, grabbing 3 rebounds, dishing out an assist along with 3 steals while Nelson grabbed 4 rebounds, dished out 4 assists along with 2 steals; Howard notched a double-double, scoring 13 with 20 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals and 4 blocks.

Carl Landry led the Rockets with 20 points, 3 rebounds, an assist, a steal and a block while Aaron Brooks added 17 (including four 3-pointers) with 3 rebounds, 4 assists and a steal; Luis Scola chipped in 14 with 5 rebounds and 2 assists in a losing Rockets effort.

Orlando (22-7) plays again on Friday when they host the Boston Celtics while Houston (17-12) travels to New Jersey to take on the Nets on Saturday night.