NBA Update: Orlando Magic snap 4-game losing streak by beating Los Angeles Clippers, 94 – 85
The Orlando Magic avoided losing five straight games for the first time in four seasons, defeating the Los Angeles Clippers, 94-85 at Staples Center. 18,278 basketball fans witnessed the 20th defeat of the home team.
Stick Out a Mile
Dwight Howard found his shot against Clippers, posted team-high 22 points and pulls down 8 rebounds for Magic. Jameer Nelson contributed 17 points and nine assists. Brandon Bass had a double-double, chipping in 13 points and 11 rebounds, and Vince Carter
added 13 points for Magic to snap skid of four games.
The sizzling Eric Gordon led all scorers with 28 points and 8 assists but could not help the Clippers in avoiding the seventh defeat in the previous nine games. Blake Griffin netted 27 with 16 rebounds to join him in double figures.
Long and Short of it
The ball was protected efficiently. Some big shots were been played. Fifty-four rebounds were been grabbed. The turnovers were limited to nine only. The defence was outstanding. It was enough for an easy victory of Orlando’s eighth win in a row against the
Clippers.
The Orlando Magic raced out to a big lead early in the first quarter, 35-14.
"My first six shots were wide open, I just wasn't knocking them down," "We just had a bad start. We cut it down to six, but it still takes a toll on you. We took good shots and just didn't make them," said Gordon.
In the second quarter, Los Angeles fought hard cut its 26-point deficit down to trail 59-40 at the end of first half. Griffin and Gordon contributed seven points apiece.
Both teams started ice cold in the third quarter, but Magic found its way to help build a quick lead, 69-59 after outscoring the Magic 19-10 in the third.
Baron Davis' alley-oop pass to Griffin provided the Clippers with an opportunity to get as close as six points in the fourth quarter.
Power forward Brandon Bass then dunked for the Magic to regain a double-digit lead that they held for most of the crucial final minutes.
Orlando’s Pillar of Strength
Orlando's defence was the main key of success as they were been given a blank check of 92.2 points a game - third-highest in the league. However, the nasty-shooting Clippers were unable to reach that huge total. They just wind up at hitting 38 percent from
the floor for the game.
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