The Magic shot 52.2 percent from 3-point range and 52.3 percent from the field for the game. But they didn't get much resistance.

The Suns started slow for the second straight night.

Orlando used a flurry of 3-pointers, including a pair by Anderson, to take a 14-point lead in the first quarter that didn't last long. The Magic started missing, the Suns started running - as they so often do - and ended the period on a 12-2 run that tightened the gap to 29-25.

That seemed to be the early pattern.

The Magic's starters returned in the second quarter and, at first, hardly missed. That potent 3-point attack was in full force, with J.J. Redick and Pietrus connecting to open up an 11-point lead.

"I think they were pretty upset about the loss in Detroit the night before," Stoudemire said. "They came out and pretty much took it out on us."

Howard picked up his third foul with 4:46 remaining in the half after he got tangled up with Jarron Collins underneath the basket. Then Howard picked up a technical foul for arguing.

Steve Nash and Stoudemire had the fast pace, pick-and-roll offense going strong early. And the pair helped the Suns trim Orlando's halftime lead to 58-52 with Howard on the bench.

In defense of his player, Van Gundy said the NBA has always treated perimeter players like Cleveland's LeBron James and Miami's Dwyane Wade differently.

"We don't let people bang on them like that," Van Gundy said. "I think there's a double standard on the way they call it. My personal thing is I think the league loves the perimeter play and is not so fond of inside play. But with all that said, and those are just my opinions, Dwight knows how the game is called and he's just got to deal with it."

NOTES: Phoenix played without Leandro Barbosa, who has battled a sore right wrist since the summer. ... Pietrus returned to the lineup after missing the last two games with flu-like symptoms. He came off the bench in place of Matt Barnes.