Howard, Magic Hold Off Pistons

11/07/2009 -- Dwight Howard made up for a miserable performance against the Pistons three nights earlier.

Even so, he was still irked by what happened in the fourth quarter.

Howard's 22 points and 12 rebounds were enough to help the Orlando Magic hold off Charlie Villanueva and Detroit 110-103 Friday night, but the win was soured by the Pistons' 35-point fourth quarter.

"We haven't played good enough defense to be a great team," Howard said. "We have to try and be great every night, and that's just not happening yet. Sometimes you have ugly games, and tonight the fourth quarter was ugly, but we still got a good win."

Villanueva scored 22 of his 28 points in the quarter, but it wasn't enough to get past the defending Eastern Conference champs, who led by 19 early and never trailed at all.

"Charlie was great. He gave us a chance in the fourth, but you can't rely on one guy to try and bring you back," Ben Gordon said. "We dug ourselves a hole and just couldn't get over the hump."

Three nights after fouling out with eight points in 17 minutes, Howard was nearly perfect. He made 7 of 8 field goals and 8 of 9 free throws and didn't commit a foul until after halftime.

Matt Barnes had 18 points and nine rebounds for the Magic and Jameer Nelson also scored 18, with eight assists.

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