Howard scored 20 points, grabbed 22 rebounds and blocked four shots.
Carter was also on his way to a big night in his return to New Jersey when he suffered a sprained left ankle late in the second quarter.
Carter, who spent four-plus seasons with the Nets before coming to Orlando in a summer trade, had scored 16 points before the injury.
He was driving the lane when he stepped on the foot of ex-teammate Devin Harris.
Carter rolled his ankle and had to be assisted to the locker room.
Ryan Anderson, who also came to Orlando with Carter in the trade, scored 16 points. New Jersey was led by Courtney Lee with 18.
Orlando scored the first seven points of the third period to take a 13-point lead. New Jersey climbed back within six with 5:16 to go in the third, but the Magic produced the final six points of the quarter and the Nets came no closer than nine in the fourth.
Copyright 2009 by United Press International.
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