ORLANDO, Florida - For the past few weeks, Magic coach Stan Van Gundy's nightly pregame speeches have included two simple requests: Good pace on offense and sustained energy on defense.

Orlando's 101-85 win over the LA Clippers on Tuesday night didn't have all the elements Van Gundy is hoping his team will exhibit over next few months, but it was a step in the right direction.

Dwight Howard had 22 points and 20 rebounds and Jameer Nelson added 17 points, including going 4 for 5 from 3-point range, as Orlando used a second-half surge to hand the Clippers their fourth straight loss.

It was the Magic's ninth straight win over the Clippers and second of the season. The Clippers lost for the seventh consecutive time on the road.

"When I see 25 fast-break points and 23 second-chance points, I know we played hard and with good energy," Van Gundy said. "I thought that in the second half, in particular, our defense was really good and I thought we did a good job on Blake Griffin."

Baron Davis led the Clippers with a season-high 25 points, Ike Diogu added 18 and Griffin had 10 points and 12 rebounds. Griffin came in averaging 22.9 points per game, but couldn't find his touch, connecting on only 4 of 12 shots.

Griffin agreed the Magic's defensive effort forced him into some difficult positions offensively. He said a lack of ball movement late in the second half of games continues to hamper the Clippers.

They shot 39 percent on Tuesday night.

"Anytime a team doubles quick like that, you have to swing the ball and just let your teammates hit shots," Griffin said. "We didn't hit shots as a team tonight. That hurt ... once they were up, they kind of never let up."

The Magic shot poorly in the first half (37 percent overall and 18 from the 3-point line), but found their touch during a fourth-quarter spurt that included all five of their seven second-half 3s. They finished at 43.2 percent.

"I'm trying to get it back," Gilbert Arenas said. "Everyone is cheering me on right now ... like today, when I hit a 3 finally, (Hedo Turkoglu) was like 'Just shoot the ball.' So I'm just trying to get the rhythm and get confident in my shot again."

Associated Press

(China Daily 02/10/2011 page24)