After winning three in a row, the Orlando Magic hosted the Los Angeles Clippers at Amway Center on Monday night. The Clippers came to town dramatically improved, with Chris Paul hitting his stride with his new club and making them look like contenders out West. It took an extra session to decide this one, and the Clippers took advantage of the extra five minutes to clinch a 107-102 win.
Dwight Howard had a huge game for Orlando, battling a front line of Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan. He had 21 points in the first half, and finished with 33 and 14 rebounds. Jason Richardson, who's improved his play of late, added 20 points for the Magic. Jameer Nelson matched Howard's double-double, scoring 15 points and dishing 12 assists as he was matched up against Chris Paul all night.
But Paul was too much to handle on the defensive end, as the franchise point guard was a perfect three for three from behind the arc and eight for eight from the charity stripe. He finished with 29 points, 8 assists, and 7 rebounds. Griffin and Chauncey Billups chipped in with 18 points a piece.
The Magic will now look to get back on the winning track on Wednesday when they host division-leading Miami at Amway.
For more on the Orlando Magic, visit the SB Nation's Magic blog Orlando Pinstriped Post. For more on the Los Angeles Clippers, visit SB Nation's Clippers blog Clips Nation.