Howard had three blocks and was called for goaltending twice as Orlando built a lead that grew to 29-14 at the end of the first quarter. Paul had eight points to keep New Orleans in the game.

Fueled by a pair of 3s by Nelson and six straight points by Howard, including a rousing putback dunk, Orlando went on a 22-4 run to take a 59-29 lead with just over two minutes left in the first half.

Orlando shot 56 percent and made eight of 14 3s in the first half to take a 61-31 lead.

Paul had 12 points at halftime.

The Hornets resorted to a Smite-a-Dwight strategy, fouling Howard nearly every time he touched the ball in the paint. Howard, who was shooting a career-low 57 percent from the line this season, made four of eight.

“His energy was great, but he was frustrated because they were hammering him inside,” Van Gundy said.

“Last year we would have won a big game or two and then come back and a lose a game we believed we should win,” Howard said. “So far we’ve been staying consistent. That’s a great sign of maturity for a young team.”

Former starter Mickael Pietrus, still playing with a split on his broken right thumb, continued to come off the bench for the Magic and finished with 11 points. Keith Bogans, who started in his place, did not score.

Notes: The Hornets won their previous two road games. ... Howard had made the first of two free throws early in the second half when the crowd started chanting “MVP. MVP” He smiled as he shot the second one, clanging it off the front rim. He had made four of five free throws to that point. ... Howard was one of three players picked for the Slam Dunk competition on All-Star Saturday, Feb. 14, in Phoenix. He joins Memphis’ Rudy Gay and 2006 winner Nate Robinson of the Knicks. A fan vote will pick the fourth competitor. ... Howard wore specially designed blue-and-red Superman shoes for the first and only time this season.

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