For much of the last week, Orlando coach Stan Van Gundy insisted the Boston Celtics are playing better defense than anyone in the NBA.
His team won't disagree.
Paul Pierce had 27 points and 10 rebounds, Glen Davis added a season-high 16 points and Boston disrupted everything Orlando wanted offensively, beating the Magic 90-80 in a matchup of two of the league's elite this season.
Kevin Garnett scored 16 points to help the Celtics (36-9) extend their winning streak to seven games. Ray Allen added 12.
Dwight Howard, who on Thursday became the first player in league history to receive 3 million votes in a season for the All-Star game, was held to a relatively ordinary 11 points and 11 rebounds. He fouled out with 2:30 left.
The Magic (33-9) entered the night with the league's best record, but saw their run of consecutive victories end at seven.
Sports
Lakers 117, Wizards 97
Andrew Bynum had 23 points and 14 rebounds, Pau Gasol added 18 points for Los Angeles.
On the third anniversary of his franchise-record 81-point game against Toronto, Kobe Bryant had 11 points, five assists and four rebounds in 28 minutes.
The Lakers' .809 winning percentage (34-8) is the best in the NBA, although Boston leads them by a half-game in the overall standings. The Celtics have played three more games than the Lakers, whom they beat in last year's finals.
Antawn Jamison scored 19 points for Washington.
