Jazz come from behind to beat Magic 120-111


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SALT LAKE CITY (AP) -- Deron Williams scored 21 of his 32 points in the second half and had 15 assists and eight rebounds, leading the Utah Jazz to a 120-111 victory over Orlando on Thursday night that snapped Magic's six-game winning streak.

Carlos Boozer had 20 points and 14 rebounds, and C.J. Miles added a season-high 22 points for the Jazz, coming off an embarrassing loss in Los Angeles the night before when they scored just six points in the fourth quarter against the Lakers.

The Jazz survived a dreadful first half from the foul line and took control in the third quarter, outscoring the Magic 38-21.

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Vince Carter had 34 points to lead the Magic, who had won eight straight road games.

Mehmet Okur added 14 points and 11 rebounds for Utah despite getting into early foul trouble by blanketing Orlando's Dwight Howard.

Okur's defense flustered Howard, who finished with 18 points and 10 rebounds -- just an average night after opening the game with 10 points and seven rebounds in the first half.

Matt Barnes added 17 points and Ryan Anderson scored 16, making four 3-pointers while leading the Magic to an 18-point lead in the first half.

Utah helped Orlando pull ahead by making just 10 of 22 foul shots in the first half. Having little to fear by sending the Jazz to the line, the Magic racked up 13 fouls in the first half.

But the Jazz got within eight at halftime, then opened the third quarter on a 14-3 run and the Magic never recovered.

The Jazz came out with a bit of a mean streak after halftime, shutting down the freewheeling fun the Magic enjoyed in the first half with a physical game that was much more Utah's style. Williams had 11 points and eight assists in the period and ended it on a 3-pointer with one second left that gave the Jazz a 90-81 lead.

Howard had opened the third with two foul shots to put the Magic up 62-52, then Utah scored the next 10 points. Okur started it with a hook, Wesley Matthews broke for a layup off a pass from Williams, then Boozer and Brewer closed the game with back-to-back dunks that got the crowd in a frenzy. Williams assisted on both dunks and Brewer had a steal during the string of 10 straight points.

Okur made two foul shots to tie it at 62 with 8:35 left in the third. It was the first time in the game the Jazz went 2 for 2 from the line.

The Magic continued to struggle in the fourth and went without a field goal until Rashard Lewis hit a 3-pointer with 7:41 left in the game. That got Orlando to 97-89, but the Jazz scored with the next eight points.

Williams took a forearm to the back of the head from Howard during the run and gave the Jazz a scare when he stayed on the court for a few moments before getting helped up, then making both foul shots.

NOTES: It was the most points of the season for Miles, who missed the first 17 games with a torn ligament in his left thumb. ... The Jazz finished with 28 assists to Orlando's 18. ... Anderson hit his first four 3-point attempts for the Magic. ... Utah's Andrei Kirilenko missed the game because of a strained lower back. ... The Jazz made 9 of 10 free throws in the third quarter.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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Doug Alden sports writer

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