Their other first-round pick was Jameer Nelson, a 5-foot-10 point guard, and the Magic have had to wait through a presidential term to see whether he would flourish. The wait might be over for the team and the player whom Howard calls "Mighty Mouse."

Nelson more than justified the league naming him Eastern Conference player of the week on Monday, scoring 22 points and tying a franchise record for consecutive shots made hours later in the Magic's 113-81 rout of the Golden State Warriors at Amway Arena.

Nelson tied a single-game franchise record held by several players by hitting all nine of his shots to lead Orlando to its fifth consecutive victory and ninth win in its last 10 games. Tony Battie tied the mark this season, as did Howard in 2007.

The Magic also pushed their record to 22-6, tying the club record for the best 28-game start (by the 1994-95 and 1995-96 teams).

Nelson was honored during a week in which Orlando went 3-0 and he averaged 27.6 points, 5.3 assists and 4.0 rebounds per game.

Another Nelson -- Golden State Coach Don Nelson -- says the Magic have found their point guard after witnessing Jameer shred his team again.

"He has learned his trade well," Don Nelson said. "Point guards are so important to our game today -- probably second to a dominating center. It is pretty close, actually, between a point guard and a center.

"All of a sudden, he has developed into one of the top guys in the league. You can't hardly guard the guy anymore."

Jameer obviously likes the Warriors' 30th-ranked defense, as so many others do. Nelson tied his career high with 32 points in the Magic's 109-98 victory at Golden State eight days ago.

"Jameer was unbelievable again," Coach Stan Van Gundy said. "Just incredible."

Over the last nine games, Nelson has averaged 21.1 points and has shot 59 percent (78-of-132) and 60.4 percent (26-of-43). His assist-to-turnover ratio is a stellar 53-24. He has made 17 of his last 18 shots the last six quarters.

"I'm not a stats guy," Nelson said. "And the thing of it is when you're named player of the week, that means you're winning. That's the No. 1 priority."

Forward Brian Cook missed the game. His father, Norm Cook, a former player at Kansas and with the Boston Celtics, died Monday after a lingering illness.

Howard scored 11 points and had 11 rebounds. Rashard Lewis scored 21 points, making 8 of 12 shots. Mickael Pietrus, playing against his former team, added 14 points and Courtney Lee had 12.

The Magic had no letdown after beating San Antonio and the L.A. Lakers, making 16 3-pointers in 31 attempts. They led by just eight at intermission, but Nelson built the cushion to 78-63 with a 3-pointer, and Pietrus followed with another to set the rout in motion.

After a slow start, Nelson clearly has a command of his game. He could make a run at being added to the Eastern Conference all-star roster.

"I'm really not thinking about that," Nelson said. "Everybody wants to play in the all-star game. The ultimate goal is to win. You have to give everybody in this locker room credit. It's just not myself out there playing."