ORLANDO, Fla., Dec. 10 (Ticker) -- Dwight Howard's latest double-double got the Orlando Magic out of trouble.

Howard collected his 15th double-double with 17 points and 13 rebounds as the Magic snapped their five-game slide with a 94-83 victory over the Denver Nuggets.

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A 6-11 forward with great leaping ability, Howard is second in the NBA in rebounding at 13.2 and has grabbed 13 or more boards a dozen times this season.

"He's a load. He's a powerful, strong, young kid that pushes and shoves and feels good about it and likes doing it," Denver coach George Karl said. "He has great rebounding hands and is going to a tremendous basketball player in this league."

Howard was rushed out of the locker room following the game and was not available for comment due to a mandatory drug test by the NBA.

Orlando held a 48-46 lead at intermission before limiting Denver to 11 points in the third quarter for a 71-57 advantage to start the final period.

After a surge by the Nuggets, DeShawn Stevenson drilled a long jumper with 5:35 remaining to give the Magic some breathing room at 82-69.

"DeShawn hit some big shots, but the main thing was we had to win the third quarter," Orlando coach Brian Hill said. "We made some big shots to start the quarter but we held them to just 11 points. Our guys showed a lot of resolve in that quarter."

"It was one of those night when (my shot) was falling," said Stevenson, who made 9-of-13 from the field. "Usually I go to the basket more often, but Dwight brought the good post presence and we kept going from there."

Stevenson scored 18 points and Steve Francis added 15 and seven assists for Orlando, which forced 18 turnovers and collected six blocked shots. Led by Howard, the Magic held an impressive 18-7 advantage on the offensive boards.

"I thought Tony (Battie) and Dwight just completely dominated the boards at both ends of the floor," Hill said. "That was huge. Those guys gave us a great effort."

Carmelo Anthony scored 16 of his 23 points in the first half and connected on just one field goal in the second half.

"It was a tough game for us," said Anthony, who shot 7-of-14 from the field after scoring a season-high 40 points in Friday's win at Miami. "After a game like last night, we had to find some energy someway or somehow. They were the more aggressive team. They pounded the boards. They were the better team tonight."

Marcus Camby, who leads the NBA in rebounding, scored 14 points and grabbed 12 boards for Denver, which was dominated on the glass, 49-34, and made just 2-of-8 3-pointers.

"We didn't come with the intensity and effort that we did last night at Miami" said Camby. "I give them a lot of credit. They had been struggling of late and found a way to get the victory."