Long-range shooting propels the Magic

SAN ANTONIO — Now that they look at the standings and see they stack up favorably with recent NBA finalists, the players for the Orlando Magic feel they’ve done some growing up lately.

Dwight Howard scored 24 points, Jameer Nelson had eight of his 22 in the final two minutes, and the Magic beat the San Antonio Spurs, 105-98, on Sunday night.

Hedo Turkoglu added 21 points for the Magic (30-8), which is tied with the Boston Celtics and Lakers for the NBA lead in victories. Orlando has won four straight and 13 of 15.

“It feels good,” Howard said. “We’ve been playing great basketball, but to come here and beat a great San Antonio team says a lot about our growth and maturity.”

The Magic made 14 of 22 shots from three-point range.

“They did a great job from the three-point line and really knocked them down,” said Spurs Coach Gregg Popovich, whose team has the best three-point percentage in the NBA this season but was three for 13 on Sunday.

“Some nights we don’t shoot as well or get as many shots. That’s just the way it is, and that was the difference.”

Tony Parker scored 31 points for the Spurs (24-12), but missed a pair of layups in the final two minutes as San Antonio closed the game by missing six of seven shots.