Orlando Magic 93, Charlotte Bobcats 81

Orlando is still in search of a 48-minute effort. The kind of game where the team knows that it put in a good night's work and completely buried an inferior opponent.

It looked like the Magic would run roughshod all over the Bobcats after building a 22-point second-quarter lead and getting 15 points from Vince Carter in a surprise return. That was not how this one would go. Charlotte rallied to pull within six points at the end of the third quarter as the offense began to sputter.

Stan Van Gundy wanted defense. His team delivered in the fourth quarter, holding the horribly inefficient Charlotte team to 10 points in the final quarter. His team hit enough big shots, including a big three by Jameer Nelson with about three minutes to play to extend the lead permanently into double figures for a 93-81 win.

Defense was the key word tonight and the Magic came out with the intensity and focus they needed to create another strong offensive start and another double-digit first-quarter lead. Orlando was up 35-23 after one quarter behind some strong play from Brandon Bass -- 12 of his 14 points in the quarter.

Things were made easy as it was finally Howard who got his opponent in foul trouble as Tyson Chandler was a non-factor thanks to some early foul trouble. Howard had his way in the post to the tune of 15 points, 10 rebounds and six assists.

Defense was, again, the key word and Orlando began to struggle in the third quarter. The Bobcats were shooting a woeful 36 percent from the field entering the game, but found a way to put up 30 points in the third quarter to close the game to within six.

A few things happened in this quarter that gave Orlando problems.

First, the offense became much less patient. The ball movement and attacking style that opened up shots in the first half stopped as the team settled more for quick jumpers and failed to get Howard the ball inside. Howard attempted only two free throws tonight and had 13 shots. Charlotte, in not having Chandler for most of the game, really did not have anyone to defend him and Howard got five of his six assists in the first half.

The quick shooting helped the speedy and versatile Bobcats get on the break more too. Raymond Felton gave Orlando particular problems in the third quarter. The North Carolina product finished with 18 points, most of it coming in the third quarter. These fast point guards getting penetration is becoming a theme after what Russell Westbrook and Will Bynum were able to do in the Magic's other losses.

Boris Diaw's versatility also gave Orlando problems in the third. Even though he shot only seven of 18 from the floor, he finished with 14 points and eight assists. His driving ability gave Brandon Bass some issues defensively. This is remedied by Rashard Lewis' return and luckily Diaw is not as efficient in this offense as he was in Phoenix's.

Otherwise, Orlando played an outstanding defensive game. The team was able to force Charlotte into a lot of turnovers and mistakes, 17 turnovers on 10 steals to be exact. And 10 points in the fourth quarter says everything it needed to say.

I would have liked to have seen Orlando take control in the third quarter and put the game far out of reach. The team still seems to be missing that killer instinct to bury its opponents. But this was also a good sign. The Magic never gave up the lead and fought off the rally to get a solid win on the road.

Will that work against a team like Cleveland tomorrow night? Probably not. The extend the lead in the third quarter thing might be better.

But certainly seeing Carter back in the lineup and playing well -- although not going to the basket as much -- was very encouraging indeed. As this team gets healthier, more of the pieces will fall into place.