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You’ve got to give props to the Charlotte Bobcats. During Game One of their best-of-seven series against the Orlando Magic, they effectively limited Dwight Howard offensively. Unfortunately for the Bobcats, they hit a roadblock in Howard as he blocked 9 shots.

Nonetheless, even with that strategy, Orlando managed to keep Charlotte at bay as they escaped Amway Arena with a hard-fought 98-89 win, giving them a 1-0 lead in the series.

There was a scary moment in the second quarter when Gerald Wallace collided with teammate Stephen Jackson; Jackson writhed on the floor in pain and would be carried off the floor. He got up after about a minute, limping to the locker room and subsequently returning and playing through the injury. Orlando would go into halftime with a comfortable 59-43 advantage.

The Bobcats would go down 65-43 on a 3-pointer by the Magic’s Rashard Lewis early in the third quarter; Howard would pick up his fourth foul, and the frustration would begin for Orlando.

Vince Carter, who shot 4-for-19 in the game, was whistled for a technical foul in the third period after jawing with the officials; he would subsequently foul out in the fourth, and Charlotte would rally.

Wallace’s free throws would put the Bobcats to within 85-80 late in the fourth quarter; Howard, however, returned with a put-back dunk, Mickael Pietrus drained a 3-pointer and the Magic went ahead for good 92-84.

Jameer Nelson led the Magic with a game-high 32 points (including 4 three-pointers), 4 rebounds, 6 assists and a steal while Lewis added 19 (including 3 treys) with 5 rebounds and a steal; Pietrus chipped in 14 (including four 3-pointers) with a rebound, 2 assists and a block.

Wallace led the Bobcats with 25 points, 17 rebounds, 2 assists and a block while Raymond Felton added 19 with 3 rebounds and 4 assists; Jackson scored 18 with 9 rebounds, 3 assists and a block.

Orlando and Charlotte continue their best-of-seven series with Game Two on Wednesday from Amway Arena.