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Magic jump on Grizzlies early, cruise to victory

Nov 16, 2010 - 5:42 AM Orlando, FL (Sports Network) - Vince Carter scored 19 points and Dwight Howard notched a double-double with 18 points and 14 rebounds, as Orlando downed Memphis, 89-72, at Amway Center.

Jameer Nelson chipped in with 11 points and nine rebounds, while Brandon Bass contributed 10 points off the bench for the Magic, who won their second straight game.

"We tried to be active and go as long as we can," said Carter. "Defensively, we made an effort and executed it."

Marc Gasol led the Grizzlies with 14 points and eight rebounds in defeat. O.J. Mayo and Mike Conley added 11 apiece for the Grizzlies, who dropped their third straight contest.

Memphis found scoring difficult in the first 24 minutes, shooting less than 40 percent from the floor with tough stats from its best players. Rudy Gay made just 2-of-12 shots and he, Zach Randolph and Mayo combined to connect on just 5-of-21 shots.

"It just wasn't our night," said Gay. "We had open shots, they just didn't go in. Sometimes that happens."

Orlando scored the first eight points capped by Quentin Richardson's tip off a Nelson missed layup, as Memphis needed 3 1/2 minutes to made its first field goal on Gasol's bucket. Orlando didn't light up the scoreboard either but maintained its early eight-point edge by the quarter's conclusion, taking a 20-12 lead into the second stanza.

The Magic pushed the edge to 15 right out of the gates, scoring the first seven points capped by Carter's three off the secondary break for a 27-12 game. A Rashard Lewis turnaround jumper and Marcin Gortat mid-range jumper gave Orlando its biggest margin of the first half, 47-31, with 38 seconds remaining. Gay's trey just as the horn sounded capped the first-half scoring.

Orlando kept the young Grizzlies at bay in the third period, taking a 69-56 lead into the final stanza as Mickael Pietrus capped the period with a long three-pointer.

The margin grew to 79-62 on Howard's running hook shot with just under six minutes on the clock. Memphis scored the next six points to claw within 11, but never got closer.

Game Notes

Orlando shot 43.8 percent from the floor and made six three-pointers, including three from Carter...Randolph had nine points and nine rebounds in defeat...The two teams have split their two-game season series in the last four campaigns.