The Orlando Magic certainly proved Monday that a team could thwart Elton Brand, the Clippers' leading scorer and rebounder. But the Magic also learned throwing a wet blanket over Brand doesn't guarantee a victory over the Clippers, according to the LA Times

The Clippers overcame the Magic's double-teaming defense against Brand, who had season lows of six points and two rebounds in 26 minutes, and 47 points from Tracy McGrady to win.

"They just weren't going to let him beat them," Clipper Coach Alvin Gentry said, referring to Orlando's defensive strategy against Brand. "They forced us to go with another [smaller] type of lineup. It would have been hard to stick Elton or Michael [Olowokandi, Clipper center] out on the perimeter." In the end, the Clippers' small lineup was better than the Magic's small lineup.

"I didn't play a lot in the second quarter and in the fourth quarter," said Brand, who leads the Clippers with averages of 20.6 points and 11 rebounds. "The guys were great off the bench. That's a sign of a growing team."