Magic 90, Spurs 78: Beat them at their own game

Dwight Howard was back from a two game injury. The perennial championship contending Spurs were in town. And, TNT was in town to televise it all to the NBA-watching world.

But the story was the same as it has been the last week (and really the past two years). Orlando gutted out a win in a situation the team probably would not have won a few years ago.

The Magic simply know how to win and how to do it any way possible.

This time they did it the San Antonio way -- with gritty defense, timely shooting and a killer instinct to end the game. The Spurs are definitely not playing their best... yet. But beating San Antonio the way Orlando did is saying something. It is as much of a statement as a win in December can be.

Hell, Gregg Poppovich pulled Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili with three minutes left and his team facing a 12-point deficit.

Thank Jameer Nelson for nailing the Spurs inside their coffin on this night. Nelson took over once again in the fourth quarter -- continuing a strong month and thoroughly outplaying his counterpark Tony Parker.

Nelson had 24 points and seven assists. Parker scored just nine points, shooting three for 17. More on Parker in a bit.

The fifth year point guard from St. Joseph's got wherever he wanted on the floor and was abusing San Antonio's defense throughout the fourth quarter. The Spurs cut a 23-point deficit to six in the fourth. Nelson was the one who stepped up and closed the door, helping the Magic extend the lead back out.

He had some help from Rashard Lewis (15 points) for sure, but it was Nelson leading the charge.

Orlando was in control of this game very early. Neither team got off to a good start shooting the ball (and the teams did not finish well either). It was clear that Howard and Tim Duncan were going to be battling a very physical battle down low and that Howard was in no form to dominate that matchup (he did get a double double with 14 points and 13 boards).

But the Spurs continued to struggle shooting throughout the game. Ginobili was just four of 12 from the floor and scored a paltry 10 points off the bench.

That brings me back to Parker. He had no room to operate in the paint. Nelson and the Magic ducked under every screen set for him and let him take jumpers. Parker could not deliver.

When San Antonio made their comeback it was because Parker was attacking the basket and creating holes in the defense. But for most of the game that was not there. It led to 15 San Antonio turnovers and numerous fast break opportunities in the second and third quarters when Orlando built a substantial lead.

This was a game that the Spurs typically win. Instead the Magic were the ones dominating defensively and thriving in a low scoring messy basketball environment. Orlando will not win many of these types of games (especially with Howard as invisible as he was at times).

But they got this one. And it should be a good confidence boost to a tough homestand.