by Thomas Halzack, Bleacher Report, Special to FOXSports.com

Around the NBA Monday Night

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Pistons beat the 'Bob-Cants' 101-83: They didn't need Billups or McDyess to beat a moribund Charlotte "Bob-Cants" team 101-83 as Rip Hamilton led the Pistons with 19 while recently acquired Shannon Brown (!?) led the Cants with 16 points.

76ers pummeled Kings 125-91: It looks to be a long season for Sacramento as the 76ers, the worst 3-point shooting team in the league last year, rained 3-pointers on the Artest-less Kings, making 10 of 13.

Magic close out the Bulls 96-93: Early signs are good that the Bulls will play hard for new coach Vinny Del Negro as they almost overcame a 17-point 4th-quarter deficit in a loss to playoff contender Orlando and are 2-2 to start the year with No. 1 draft choice Derrick Rose. Orlando has point guard issues of their own.

Grizzlies beat the Warriors 90-79: In a battle of the two youngest teams in the league, Marc Gasol surprised Golden State with 27 points, 16 rebounds and 3 blocks and Memphis is surprising me. They start three rookies and are 2-2 while playing solid defense (85.3 pts allowed). They are athletic and talented, but I wasn't expecting much this year, because they are so young. Golden State has point guard problems as Marcus Williams is blowing yet another opportunity as undrafted DeMarcus Nelson plays while he sits. Andris Beidrins had 16 points and 22 rebounds for the losers.

Cavaliers slap Mavericks 100-81: Mo Williams led a 13-0 fourth quarter charge with LeBron James on the bench as the Cavs held Dirk Nowitzki to eight points at home. James scored 29, while Josh Howard led Dallas with 18 and the Mavs were minus 23 with Jason Terry on the floor.

Jazz Go All Millsap on Clippers 89-73: Paul Millsap scored 15 straight Utah points in 4 minutes and 24 total for the game, as his outburst opened up a large fourth-quarter lead over the winless (0-4) Clippers. The Utah Jazz are undefeated (3-0) so far without Deron Williams in the lineup. The Clippers have 10 new players and I guess will take a while to get things together. Chris Kaman led the Clips with 19 points and 10 boards.

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