Nothing fuels victories quite as much as revenge, which was demonstrated in the NBA by the Indiana Pacers and Orlando Magic.
Both teams sustained unimaginable losses to bad teams earlier this season, and both avenged them Friday night.
Ron Mercer scored 19 points and Austin Croshere added 17 as the Pacers beat the Nuggets 94-72, six days after an 11-point loss to the most woeful team in the league.
Tracy McGrady had 36 points and Grant Hill returned from a one-game absence with 16 points as the Magic defeated Golden State 111-85 to get some payback for the most lopsided loss in franchise history, a 42-point defeat on Nov. 16.
"When you beat an NBA team like that at home, the next time they play you they remember that. They wanted to do that to us tonight and they did," Golden state's Jason Richardson said.
The big surprise in Indiana's victory was the play of Croshere, who has languished on the bench for most of Isiah Thomas' three seasons as coach.
"It doesn't do me any good to get frustrated," Croshere said. "I'm just happy for the guys that play well, happy for the win, and I just really have confidence that I am going to have the opportunity."
Hornets 98, Lakers 82
At Los Angeles, the loss was the second straight for the three-time defending champions (9-15), 6-6 since Shaquille O'Neal returned after sitting out the first 12 games.
O'Neal had 28 points and 10 rebounds before leaving the game with 2:47 remaining. Kobe Bryant was the only other Los Angeles player in double figures with 16 points, but he shot only 6-of-16.
Spurs 97, Clippers 84
At San Antonio, Tim Duncan had 25 points and 18 rebounds to lead four players in double figures. Tony Parker added 22 while Stephen Jackson and Steve Smith scored 10 apiece.
* The Pacers also got their own back against Denver, six days after an 11-point loss to the most woeful team in the NBA.
* The embarrassing loss to Denver last Saturday on the final game of a five-game road trip was Indiana's only loss this season to a team with a losing record.
San Antonio had a 26-2 run bridging the second and third quarters and led 68-48 on a three-point play by David Robinson with 7:57 to play in the period. Los Angeles cut its deficit to 84-75 on Brand's free throw with 8:27 remaining in the game, but San Antonio answered with a 6-0 run.
Nets 79, Wizards 65
At East Rutherford, New Jersey, Jason Kidd had 11 points, 10 assists and 10 rebounds and New Jersey held Michael Jordan and the Wizards to a franchise-low point total.
The point total was also a Nets record for fewest allowed. The old record was 67 against Washington last season.
Grizzlies 114, Rockets 109, OT
At Memphis, Tennessee, Wesley Person made a 3-pointer with 35 seconds left in overtime and followed with two foul shots as the Grizzlies won their fourth straight game -- one short of the franchise record.
Celtics 115, Cavaliers 100
At Boston, Antoine Walker had the 13th triple-double of his career with a season-high 33 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists as the Celtics overcame Ricky Davis' 42 points.
Suns 99, 76ers 91
At Philadelphia, Stephon Marbury had 28 points and 10 assists and Shawn Marion had 25 points and 15 rebounds as Phoenix handed the 76ers their fourth straight loss.
Bucks 101, Trail Blazers 79
At Milwaukee, Tim Thomas scored a season-high 25 points before mildly spraining his left ankle. Anthony Mason added a season-high 16 points with seven rebounds and nine assists, and Ray Allen had 15 points.
SuperSonics 91, Raptors 79
At Toronto, Gary Payton scored 21 points in Seattle's second straight road victory.
Vladimir Radmanovic added 15 points and Desmond Mason had 14 for the SuperSonics, who won consecutive games for the first time since Nov. 17.
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