Orlando, FL -- (Sports Network) - Tony Battie had 21 points and nine rebounds, as the Orlando Magic finished out their regular season with a 98-73 victory over the lottery-bound Charlotte Bobcats.

Dwight Howard played 24 minutes and posted 10 points and 12 rebounds for the Magic (59-23), who will play the sixth-seeded Philadelphia 76ers in the first round of the playoffs, beginning Sunday at 5:30 p.m. (et). The Sixers defeated the Cavaliers in Cleveland, while the Bulls lost to Toronto on Wednesday.

"I'm ready. This is what we've been waiting for, playoff basketball," said Howard. "It's time for us to really step our game up and try to build a legacy."

Mickael Pietrus added 19 points, while Rafer Alston had 15 points in the win.

Raymond Felton scored a team-high 13 points for the Bobcats (35-47), who will enter the lottery for the fifth straight time, as the team has never made the playoffs since entering the league in 2004-05. Despite the loss, Charlotte had its best record in its five seasons in the NBA.

"I think we made progress and we've got a chance to get better," said Bobcats coach Larry Brown. "It's hard to evaluate or assess your season after a night like tonight. But we have to play a lot of young people and we know how far we have to come because Orlando is so well coached."

Nazr Mohammed had 12 points, and Dontell Jefferson had 10. Gerald Wallace was limited to three points and 10 rebounds in 25:33 of playing time.

Orlando stormed out to a 28-14 lead after one quarter, and its lead stood at 57-38 at halftime.

The Magic pushed their advantage to as high as 22 several times in the third, and the hosts held a substantial 77-58 edge after three quarters.

The game was never in question in the fourth, as Battie's jumper made it 89-63 with just under eight minutes remaining. Orlando coasted to the victory from there.

Game Notes

Orlando swept the season series, 4-0...The Magic finished 32-9 at home, while Charlotte finished 12-29 on the road...Orlando's Hedo Turkoglu (ankle) and Rashard Lewis (right knee tendinitis)) did not play...Charlotte finished the season by losing seven of eight...Orlando snapped a three-game losing streak.