Clippers pound Magic to end Orlando’s six-game run

Tim Thomas scored 20 points, going 5-of-7 from three point range for the Clippers, who have won two of their last three after losing five straight.

Corey Maggette had 17 points and Sam Cassell had 13 for LA, which set season- highs in field-goal percentage (60.3), points in a half (66) and points in a game (116).

"We did a lot of good things," said LA head coach Mike Dunleavy. "We had good ball movement and played good defense."

Dwight Howard had 16 points and seven rebounds for the Magic, who saw their six-game winning streak come to an end. It was just Orlando’s second loss in its last 12 games.

"We didn’t have a whole lot of energy tonight and we got a good ole fashioned butt-whooping," said Magic head coach Brian Hill.

Brand jumped out to a hot start, scoring 17 of his 31 points in the first quarter as the Clippers took a 35-29 lead.

Chris Kaman converted a three-point play to start the second quarter to ignite an 11-4 LA run that gave the Clippers a 46-33 lead on Quinton Ross’ reverse layup with 7:48 left before halftime.

After the teams traded baskets, Maggette converted two free throws and dropped in a layup to make it a 17-point game as LA took a 66-49 lead into the break.

Orlando came out strong to start the second half, as Grant Hill scored two straight baskets to cap an 11-4 run that brought the Magic within 70-60.

Orlando managed to get within eight in the quarter, but LA ripped off seven straight points, capped by a Thomas’ three, to take an 88-75 lead into the fourth.

The Magic pulled to within 10 on a Darko Milicic layup, but Thomas drained another trey to start a 9-0 Clippers’ burst that effectively put the game away.

Game Notes

The Clippers improved to 8-2 as the host this season...Hedo Turkoglu scored 15 points while Jameer Nelson had 13 for the Magic, who are 3-1 on their current six-game road trip...LA has won four straight against Orlando.