MIAMI - Dwight Howard scored 18 points and 10 rebounds to help the Orlando Magic snap a four-game losing streak with a comprehensive 97-68 home victory over NBA champions Miami Heat on Saturday.

Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard goes to the basket against Miami Heat center Michael Doleac (L) during first half NBA basketball action in Orlando, Florida December 30, 2006. [Reuters]

The Magic took advantage of the absence of Finals MVP Dwyane Wade to dominate most of the game, holding the Heat to a season-low 10 points in the second quarter and 11 points in the fourth.

Wade injured his right wrist against the Chicago Bulls on Wednesday and missed his second straight game with his sprain. Miami, also without star Shaquille O'Neal, who has played just four games all season, lost for the third straight time.

The defending champions are just 13-17 this season and sit ninth in the Eastern Conference standings after their latest loss, while the Magic (18-14) are sixth. Wade has missed a total of four games this season and the Heat have lost them all.

Miami shot just 34 percent from the field and were out-rebounded 46-33 as the Magic out-scored the Heat 50-14 in the paint to roll to the easy win between the state rivals.

Trevor Ariza had 16 points and 10 rebounds for the Magic, while Tony Battie added 12 points and six rebounds.

Jason Kapono had 15 points and Dorell Wright added 12 points for the Heat, who had won five of their previous six games in Orlando.

*In Indianapolis, Adam Morrison had 30 points as the Charlotte Bobcats beat the Indiana Pacers 113-102.

Raymond Felton had 10 points and 19 assists for the Bobcats and Emeka Okafor added 19 points and 14 rebounds, while Indiana coach Rick Carlisle was ejected in the third quarter.

*Richard Jefferson had 23 points as the New Jersey Nets beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 100-92 in East Rutherford. The Nets have won two straight following a four-game losing streak.

*In Memphis, Pau Gasol had 22 points and 11 rebounds as the Grizzlies beat the Toronto Raptors 110-104.

*Jason Terry had 25 points as the Dallas Mavericks beat the New Orleans Hornets 94-80.

*Luol Deng had 32 points as the Chicago Bulls beat the Cleveland Cavaliers 103-96. LeBron James had 33 points for the Cavaliers.