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RECAP
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BOX SCORE
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GAME FLOW
PHILADELPHIA (AP) – Tracy McGrady thought he would have a lot
more company on his winning drive to the hoop.
|  | | Tracy McGrady deserved to celebrate after his 44-point, nine-rebound effort. |
McGrady, who matched a career-high with 44 points, took an inbounds pass at halfcourt, drove and banked a shot high off the glass with 2.7 seconds as the Orlando Magic held off a frenzied comeback by Philadelphia and beat the 76ers 96-95 Wednesday night.
"I had a good running start and definitely had my man beat,"
said McGrady, who shot 18-for-35 from the field. "It was a shot I
had to make. After I got by my man, I thought somebody would be
there to meet me. I got it up high on the backboard because I
thought someone would be coming."
Philadelphia coach Larry Brown wasn't shocked by McGrady's play,
even though the Sixers didn't look ready for it.
"Tracy made a great play but I could kick myself because I kind of figured he would penetrate," Brown said.
A desperation heave by Allen Iverson fell short for
Philadelphia, which lost for the sixth time in seven games.
Iverson, battling bronchitis, finished with 37 points and 10
turnovers. His three-point play with 7.6 seconds remaining gave the
Sixers a 95-94 lead.
Darrell Armstrong had 14 points and Mike Miller added 13 points for the Magic, who forced the Sixers into a season-high 27
turnovers and won their second straight.
Eric Snow scored 10 of his 14 points in the fourth quarter and added 10 assists. Jumaine Jones had 13 points and Tyrone Hill
finished with 17 rebounds for Philadelphia, which outrebounded
Orlando 56-40. Matt Geiger had 11 points and eight rebounds.
Orlando led by as many as 12 points in the fourth quarter and
was ahead 90-79 with 3:47 left. The 76ers went on a 13-4 run,
closing within two points at 94-92 when Snow, who scored eight
points in the outburst, hit a pair of free throws with 1:07 remaining.
"We tried to give it away at the end but couldn't do it," Magic coach Doc Rivers said.
The Magic scored 24 of the last 30 points in the third period
and outscored the Sixers 30-10, opening up a 73-63 lead by the end
of the quarter. McGrady had 11 points in the outburst, which came
in the final eight minutes of the quarter.
"The third quarter was a disaster," Brown said.
Philadelphia led by as many as 13 in the first half. The Sixers
took a 49-36 lead with 1:33 left on a jumper by Geiger. The Magic
scored eight of the last 10 in the half and closed within seven,
51-44, at the break.
Game notes
Sixers coach Larry Brown was nominated as a finalist for induction into the National Basketball Hall of Fame on Wednesday.
Brown, in his fourth season with Philadelphia, has won more than
1,000 games in his career at the college and pro level. Former
76ers Bobby Jones and Moses Malone were also nominated. ...
Philadelphia's Aaron McKie left the game in the third quarter after twisting his right knee and did not return. McKie, who is also nursing a chronic right shoulder injury, was 0-for-3 in 13 minutes. ... McGrady's 44 points were the most by a Sixers opponent this season.
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ALSO SEE
NBA Scoreboard
Orlando Clubhouse
Philadelphia Clubhouse
RECAPS
New Jersey 99
Denver 96
Orlando 96
Philadelphia 95
Phoenix 103
Cleveland 94
Dallas 94
Portland 84
Seattle 94
Minnesota 93
Sacramento 108
LA Lakers 84
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