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Dwight Howard 's Success Rubs Off On Battie
Defensive pressure on Dwight Howard is providing scoring opportunities for Tony Battie, who had 15 points Saturday.
Tim Povtak | Sentinel Staff Writer
The rocket-like rise of young Dwight Howard might be the best thing that ever happened to Magic veteran Tony Battie.
And he knows it.
Battie scored a season-high 15 points and grabbed seven rebounds before fouling out Saturday night, helping lead the Magic to a surprisingly easy 94-83 victory over the Denver Nuggets.
Coupled with his 14 points and eight rebounds in a loss to Chicago on Wednesday, it was the most impressive two-game set for Battie this season, giving the Magic a more optimistic slant on their immediate future.
"I think teams now are trying to force the ball out of Howard 's hands more than ever," Battie said. "They are forcing someone else to try and beat them. I'm just making myself available."
As opponents begin looking for ways to combat Howard -- who had yet another impressive night with 17 points and 14 rebounds -- Battie is finding himself with the ball more often than before. The double teams against Howard usually mean Battie is open.
Battie, who has started all 19 games this season at center, was averaging just 5.7 points when the week began. In a nine-year NBA career, he has averaged just 6.5 points. Scoring never has been his forte, but he never has played alongside an emerging big man like Howard, who can make everyone around him a little better.
It was Howard and Battie who were key in a decisive third quarter that limited the Nuggets to just 11 points. They dominated around the basket.
"We got a great effort from those two," Magic Coach Brian Hill said. "With teams concentrating more on double-teaming Howard, Tony is going to get his chances offensively. They set the tone tonight."
An improved offensive game couldn't come at a more opportune time for Battie, who is in the final year of his contract with the Magic.
Kelvin Cato, who was expected to be the starting center this season, has struggled to return from shoulder surgery. He is sidelined now with an ankle sprain, giving Battie all the playing time he can handle, even though he has a minor sprain himself.
Battie played 30 minutes against Chicago . He played only 24 Saturday night, but he was limited by foul trouble. He took a season-high six free throws, an example of his offensive surge. He eventually fouled out with 2:12 remaining, but the game already was secured.
"Some guys in this league are late bloomers," Battie said. "There are guys like Antonio Davis, whose best years are from their ninth to 12th year. I'd like to think that could happen to me, too."
Tim Povtak can be reached at Tpovtak@orlandosentinel.com.
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