MAGIC 86, NETS 70: Dwight Howard celebrated his first post-trade deadline game with 18 points as host Orlando cruised to its fourth win in the last five.

New Jersey was again without Deron Williams and has dropped three of four.

Howard, who signed a waiver Thursday giving up the right to opt-out of his contract this summer, went 8 for 10 from the field and led a strong defensive effort against the short-handed Nets.

Williams, who on Friday told reporters that he would not follow Howard by guaranteeing another season in New Jersey, missed his fourth straight game with a calf injury. Jordan Farmar and Brook Lopez were also out for the Nets.

New Jersey shot 33.7 percent from the floor and had only one starter, DeShawn Stevenson with 11 points, reach double figures in scoring.

Orlando steadily pulled away, taking a 46-36 lead at the half and pushing it to 81-62 midway through the fourth quarter before coasting to the finish.

Ryan Anderson added 12 points and 11 rebounds and Jameer Nelson chipped in 13 points and six assists for the Magic.

GAME NOTEBOOK: The Magic shot 51 percent but hit just 8 of 29 (28 percent) from 3-point range … Gerald Green led the Nets with 14 points on 6-of-9 shooting off the bench … The New Jersey starting backcourt of MarShon Brooks and Sundiata Gaines combined to shoot 3 for 24.