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Magic look for better defensive effort against Nets

Feb 8, 2009 - 8:19 AM New Jersey (24-27) at Orlando (37-12), 6:00 p.m. EST

ORLANDO, Florida (Ticker) -- While trying to cope with the loss of their All-Star point guard, the Orlando Magic hope to tighten up their defense. That may come as a difficult task against the surging New Jersey Nets.

Coming off their the worst defensive effort of the season, the Magic will continue life without Jameer Nelson when they host the Nets on Sunday.

Orlando suffered a 107-102 loss to the Indiana Pacers on Friday that saw Nelson miss his second straight contest since suffering a torn labrum that will keep him sidelined for the rest of the season.

The Magic, who have given up 94.6 points per game this season, allowed more than 105 points for the eighth time.

New Jersey, meanwhile, is seeking its fourth straight win a night after enjoying the second-largest margin of victory in franchise history.

All-Star Devin Harris scored 28 points and rookie Ryan Anderson recorded 13 points and 12 rebounds as the Nets cruised to a 114-70 drubbing of the Denver Nuggets on Saturday.

Their current run is following a stretch of losing three in a row and eight of nine.