The Basketball Diaries

Orlando Magic 95 New Orleans Hornets 88

It seems as though the Orlando Magic have found a new formula for basketball success. Step One is to build a 20-point lead. Step two is to blow that 20-point lead, and step three is to come back after blowing that 20-point lead and win the game. They did it against Boston on Sunday, and they did it again against the Hornets on Monday night. Dwight Howard led Orlando with 24 points and 15 rebounds, but it was Rashard Lewis' clutch three-pointers late that sealed the game for Orlando. "We're not trying to kill him. I think he's doing a good job of coaching us," Lewis said of his 48-year-old coach, who had joked after the victory over Boston that he'd have a better chance of living to 50 if his team could win without squandering huge leads. "We have been building a lead on teams and then we kind of relax on defense and that's what he doesn't like. We've got to learn how to bury teams." The Magic are now 10-2, their best start in franchise history, but remember they started off last season well before fading out of the playoff picture.

Utah Jazz 102 New Jersey Nets 75

The Utah Jazz shook off their subpar play from their last two games, and blew the Nets out of the building on Monday night. In what was supposed to be a battle between Jason Kidd and the new Jason Kidd, Deron Williams, only one of them showed up. Deron scored 20 points and had 6 assists to lead Utah. Jason Kidd, who was battling a cold, scored only 2 points and had 8 assists and 6 turnovers. "It feels good to get home and get the crowd behind us. We came out from the start and we're able to do what we wanted to. We were able to get out in transition and run and establish ourselves," Williams said. Carlos Boozer had 17 and Mehmet Okur had 14 to help pace the Jazz.

Memphis Grizzlies 125 Seattle Sonics 108

The 17-point victory makes this game seem a lot closer than it actually was. The Grizzles ran over Seattle on Monday night thanks to Stromile Swift and his 24 points. Mike Miller added 19 points of his own along with 7 assists. "I just tried to move without the ball," said Swift, who was 10-of-14 from the field. "They were focused on Pau [Gasol] mostly, and I was able to get open and get easy baskets. That helped me out a lot." Speaking of Pau, he had a decent night as well. 14 points, 7 rebounds, five assists, and 7 blocks. You read that right. The funny thing is it's not even Gasol's career high, he's had 8 in a game before. As for the young Kevin Durant, he struggled mightily, scoring only 11 points on 2-for-8 shooting and committing 5 turnovers.

Elsewhere...

• Bobcats 101 Blazers 92