NBA PLAYOFFS: Magic hold on against 76ers

ORLANDO, Fla. " The Orlando Magic built a big lead and avoided another meltdown " barely.

Rookie Courtney Lee had 24 points, Hedo Turkoglu scored 16 and the Magic blew another 18-point lead before beating the Philadelphia 76ers 96-87 on Wednesday night to even the series at a game apiece.

Dwight Howard had 11 points and 10 rebounds but fouled out late, and Rashard Lewis made a pair of big jumpers in the final minutes to help Orlando get its fourth win in five chances against Philadelphia this season.

Andre Miller had 30 points, and Andre Iguodala scored 20 of his 21 points in the second half for the Sixers, who closed the gap to 5 points and almost erased the same deficit they faced in the series opener.

Heat 108, Hawks 93

ATLANTA " Dwyane Wade scored 33 points, 13 straight to close the first half before he banked in a 3-pointer with 2 1/2 minutes left to finish off the Hawks in a victory that helped Miami even the series before it headed to south Florida.

After scoring only 19 points to open the best-of-seven series Sunday in a 90-64 blowout, Wade eclipsed his point total by halftime.

Nuggets 108,

Hornets 93

DENVER " Chauncey Billups scored 31 points to lead the Nuggets to another blowout of the Hornets.

The best-of-seven series shifts to New Orleans for Game 3 on Saturday night with the Nuggets holding just the third 2-0 edge in their 33-year NBA history.

This is the first time the Nuggets have won the first two games of a playoff series since 1985, when they took care of Utah in five games in the Western Conference semifinals.

Carmelo Anthony, quiet in Game 1 with just 13 points on 4-of-12 shooting, scored 22 points and dished out nine assists. J.R. Smith added 15 points.

The Hornets, losers of eight of their last 10 games, were led by David West's 21 points.