Orlando Magic forward Mickael Pietrus (C) and center Dwight Howard (R) celebrate after beating the Miami Heat in Orlando, Florida, Wednesday. (Reuters) ORLANDO: The Orlando Magic beat the Miami Heat 104-95 Wednesday, the third straight loss for a talent-laden squad that is off to a disappointing start to the NBA season. Dwight Howard had 24 points and 18 rebounds while Jameer Nelson scored 11 fourth-quarter points to help the Magic avenge a 26-point loss to the Heat earlier this season. Two-time reigning NBA Most Valuable Player LeBron James had 25 points and Chris Bosh shook off a back injury to add 21, but the struggles continued for the Heat, which slipped to 8-7 on the season. Miami, which signed James and fellow All Star Bosh during the off-season to join Dwyane Wade, has yet to display the look of a contender for an NBA title while dealing with injuries to key reserves Udonis Haslem (foot) and Mike Miller (thumb). Jazz 105, Hornets 87: Deron Williams had 26 points and 11 assists while Al Jefferson and Paul Millsap provided big late plays as the Utah beat New Orleans. The Hornets won 11 of their first 12 games but have now dropped successive games to be 11-3. Williams had eight assists in the first quarter, and 14 points by halftime. Jefferson then scored 10 fourth-quarter points as the Jazz turned a five-point game into an easy victory. Jefferson finished with 23 points and 10 rebounds, while Millsap added 17 points and seven boards. Mavericks 111, Thunder 103: In Oklahoma City, Dirk Nowitzki scored 34 points as Dallas charged past Oklahoma City in the fourth quarter. Nowitzki and Jason Terry teamed to score 10 straight points in a 57-second span to put Dallas up for good midway through the final period, and the Mavericks sealed it with a 12-0 run. Dallas' Tyson Chandler had season highs with 17 points and 18 rebounds. Kevin Durant led Oklahoma City with 32 points but was held in check in the fourth. The Thunder had a five-game winning streak snapped. Spurs 113, Timberwolves 109, OT: In Minneapolis, San Antonio came from 21 points down to beat Minnesota and post its 12th straight victory. Celtics 89, Nets 83: In Boston, Shaquille O'Neal scored a season-high 25 points, even hitting four straight free throws in the fourth quarter as Boston came back to beat New Jersey. Bulls 123, Suns 115, 2OT: In Phoenix, road-weary Chicago rallied from a 23-point, second-quarter deficit to beat Phoenix. Elsewhere it was: Knicks 99, Bobcats 95; Cavaliers 83, Bucks 81; Grizzlies 105, Pistons 84; Rockets 111, Warriors 101.
