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Jazz-Magic Preview

Dec 21, 2009 - 5:18 PM By BRETT HUSTON STATS Writer

Utah (16-11) at Orlando (20-7), 7:00 p.m. EDT

The Utah Jazz got a big game from Deron Williams and major contributions off the bench from C.J. Miles and Paul Millsap their last time out, helping put an ugly loss behind them with an impressive victory.

A nearly identical scenario unfolded the last time they faced the Orlando Magic.

The Jazz look for a third win in four games and a season sweep of the reigning Eastern Conference champions Monday night at Amway Arena, where the Magic seek their fifth straight victory and hope to get a boost from the return of All-Star point guard Jameer Nelson.

Utah (16-11) beat lowly New Jersey 108-92 to open its five-game road trip Wednesday, but fell behind by 30 points after three quarters in an embarrassing 96-83 loss at Atlanta on Friday.

A trip to Charlotte, where the Bobcats were 9-3, followed the next night, but the Jazz redeemed themselves. Williams, who had just two points against the Hawks, had a team-high 23 points and 10 assists, and Miles and Millsap combined for 38 points off the bench in a 110-102 win.

"I'm proud of us for coming back and fighting like we did," said Carlos Boozer, who had 22 points and 11 boards after being held to six points in Atlanta. "We had to get back on the road and forget about last night. If you stay in a lull and just go out there you can lose three or four in a row."

Miles, meanwhile, had 20 points, five rebounds, three assists and three steals, his best all-around game of a season in which he's still trying to get in a groove after missing the first five weeks due to left thumb surgery.

"I'm just out there playing hard and getting into the flow of the game," Miles said. "You can play a lot better when you allow yourself to get going. I came out and was able to get going."

Miles' best offensive game came against Orlando (20-7) on Dec. 10, when he scored a season-high 22. Boozer and Millsap combined for 34 points and Williams led the way with 32 points and 15 assists in a 120-111 win - one night after the Jazz had been blown out 101-77 against the Los Angeles Lakers.

The Magic led by as many as 18 midway through the second quarter before fading, a habit that coach Stan Van Gundy would like to see disappear.

"We jump out well, then relax and let everybody back in the game," Van Gundy said after the loss. "The difference is Utah is a better team."

Having Nelson available should help the Magic fight through such a fade. The point guard has been sidelined since Nov. 18 due to knee surgery, and Van Gundy said he would use Nelson - averaging 13.7 points and 5.5 assists - off the bench in this game behind starter Jason Williams.

Orlando was able to overcome 19 turnovers and 42 percent shooting by outrebounding Portland 54-35 in a 92-83 victory Saturday to extend its home win streak. Dwight Howard had 12 points and 20 boards, and the reigning defensive player of the year is averaging 24.5 points and 14.8 rebounds in his last six games against Utah.

"Every team in this league will win when they're having a great offensive night, but what separates teams is when you can dig out wins when you're not having a good night," Van Gundy said. "I was really proud of how hard our guys defended and stayed on the boards."

Vince Carter, who has averaged 29.3 points in his last six games against the Jazz and scored a season-high 34 on Dec. 10, went 1 for 14 from the field Saturday.