CHARLOTTE — Here’s how Charlotte Bobcats forward Corey Maggette described the absurd predicament presented by the Orlando Magic’s offensive spacing:

“We could either let them shoot 70 plus percent in the paint or 40-plus percent from 3-point range,” Maggette said after the Magic swamped the Bobcats 100-79 Friday night at Time Warner Cable Arena.

Since there was no good answer, the Bobcats ended up allowing 43 percent shooting from 3-point range. That generated 36 points of the Magic’s offense, including 5-of-12 from the arc by forward Ryan Anderson (23 points).

It’s not a revelation how well the Magic spreads the floor around All-Star center Dwight Howard. That’s precisely how the Magic swept the Bobcats in the 2010 playoffs.

But Howard has grown greatly as a passer, both in his willingness to share the ball and how quickly he reads approaching double-teams. Howard finished with four assists, along with 20 points and 24 rebounds.

“Dwight’s unselfishness is a big thing. He’s throwing the ball out and encouraging guys to shoot,” said Magic coach Stan Van Gundy. “If they come and double, he’s throwing the ball out and making the right basketball play 95 to 96 percent of the time.”

That creates incredible opportunity for the shooters surrounding Howard – Anderson, Hedo Turkoglu (15 points), Jason Richardson (16) and J.J. Redick (11).

“Having Dwight in there makes for probably the most wide-open shots ever,” said Anderson. “We keep a shooter (stationed outside the 3-point line) at all times.

“Even if he’s not scoring the ball, he has so many guys coming at him. He sucks in the defense, and that makes for wide-open shots.”

To hold up against something like that, the Bobcats (1-2) needed great shooting and great energy. They had neither Friday, as Orlando scored the first 11 points. It took eight possessions for the Bobcats to score.

They shot 36 percent (30-of-83). The starting backcourt of D.J. Augustin and Gerald Henderson combined to shoot 7-of-24.

Maggette (20 points off 15 shots) was the only effective scorer for the Bobcats, and there was a clear letdown from the first two games.

“The energy level was down,” said coach Paul Silas, “It seemed like nothing was happening at all in our favor.

“But I can’t kill them (for a bad performance) while they’re still learning the game. It takes time and I need to be patient.”

The Orlando Magic was supposed to be hosting the Charlotte Bobcats at 7 p.m. for the first game of the NBA season Wednesday night.

Instead, streets of downtown Orlando were empty as the NBA lockout continued. As a result, Orlando businesses said they are enduring financial hardships.

Opening day of the NBA season last year had restaurants and bars packed full of “Blue and White Ignite” faithful.

But it’s day 125 of the labor dispute between the players and the owners.

“Both sides want what’s best for them, and we have to reach a compromise and get a fair deal,” said union representative Chris Duhon.

All the games in the month of November have been canceled.

The lockout’s impact extends far beyond the Amway Center.

“I mean look around, man, we’re downtown and there’s nothing to do,” said fan Mike Blackton.

Some downtown businesses are threatening layoffs, others a hiring freeze. So is the city of Orlando, standing to lose $80 million to $100 million if the All-Star game is scrapped.

Fans want the bickering resolved now.

“It’s terrible,” Blackton said. “It’s bad for the city.”

Games are currently canceled up to Dec. 3. If a deal isn’t reached soon the entire season would be canceled. New businesses in front of the Amway Center said that could cause them to go under.

With the Orlando Magic playing for nothing but pride tonight against the Charlotte Bobcats, the Free Earl Clark movement should gain some momentum. We already know that Gilbert Arenas will start at the 2 and Jason Richardson will take the night off.

It should give us plenty to talk about in the live chat.