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RECAP
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BOX SCORE
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GAME FLOW
WASHINGTON (AP) – Tracy McGrady scored a career-high 49 points,
but the Orlando Magic could have used a few more as they try to
improve their playoff seeding.
|  | | Tracy McGrady, right, feels the heat from Wizards guard Laron Profit. |
McGrady missed his last shot, a potential game-tying 9-footer
everyone in the building knew he was going to take, and the
Washington Wizards held on to beat the Magic 113-110 Friday night.
The loss kept the Magic from moving into a tie for sixth place
with the Charlotte Hornets in the Eastern Conference. Orlando is
one game behind Charlotte; both have three games remaining.
"I don't think we realize how important these last games are
and what we're trying to accomplish," McGrady said. "I'm just in
a mode right now where I'm trying to carry this team."
Richard Hamilton scored 30 points, and Christian Laettner
matched his season high with 26 as the Wizards ended a six-game
losing streak. The victory also means Washington will avoid setting
a franchise record for worst season winning percentage.
With the score 112-110, McGrady worked his way into the paint
against Laron Profit. But Profit stayed tight on McGrady, who
missed with seven seconds remaining.
"I felt like I was there," Profit said. "But I'd been there
all night on some of them -- he just kept making them. This time, he
just happened to miss it. I felt if he went left, he was going to
pull up, and if he went right he was going to go all the way. He
went left, and I was fortunate enough to get a hand up."
After the Wizards made one of two free throws, McGrady got the
ball on the last possession, drew a crowd and passed to Pat
Garrity, who missed a 3-pointer at the buzzer.
McGrady said he was tired during the final possessions, which is
understandable since he played 44 of 48 minutes. He made 19 of 31
field goals, nine of 14 free throws and had eight rebounds, seven
assists, four blocked shots and six turnovers. The 49 points ties
the MCI Center record set by Boston's Antoine Walker in 1998.
McGrady's previous high was 44 points, which he reached twice
earlier this season. Orlando is 1-2 when he scores 40 or more.
With Darrell Armstrong missing his second consecutive game with
a groin injury, McGrady provided most of the Magic's offense after
the first period, scoring 19 of his team's 26 points in the second
quarter, 13 of 29 in the third and 13 of 28 in the fourth.
McGrady also missed four consecutive free throws that could have
slowed a Wizards run early in the four quarter. The Magic were just
21-for-36 from the free-throw line.
"Where we lost the game was on the free-throw line," Orlando
coach Doc Rivers said. "If there's any area I'm concerned about
going into the playoffs, that would be the one."
The Wizards' biggest lead was 106-96 with 3:19 to play. McGrady
made a 3-pointer with 1:36 to go and followed with two more baskets
to get the Magic within 112-110 with 34.3 seconds left.
Laettner then lost the ball out of bounds with 14.4 seconds
left, but McGrady couldn't capitalize at the other end.
"We really didn't execute tonight, which is unusual for us,"
Rivers said. "That just means it must be Game 79."
Game notes
Troy Hudson, making his fourth consecutive start, scored 10
of his 23 points in the first quarter for the Magic. ... Orlando
reserve center Michael Doleac sat out the game after spraining his
left ankle Thursday against Philadelphia. ... McGrady scored 44
points in a victory at Philadelphia on March 28 and in a home loss
against Phoenix on Feb. 20. ... Wizards center Jahidi White sat out
the second half with a leg injury.
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ALSO SEE
NBA Scoreboard
Orlando Clubhouse
Washington Clubhouse
RECAPS
Washington 113
Orlando 110
Cleveland 97
New Jersey 91
New York 101
Atlanta 65
Indiana 113
Boston 108
Toronto 94
Miami 82
Utah 94
Chicago 83
Dallas 101
Sacramento 97
Denver 108
Golden State 92
Phoenix 109
Seattle 100
Houston 109
Portland 103
LA Clippers 111
Minnesota 105
AUDIO/VIDEO
 Mike Miller feeds Tracy McGrady, who knocks down the 3-pointer.
avi: 474 k
RealVideo: 56.6 | ISDN | T1
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