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Sunday, Mar. 12 6:00pm ET
Nets blow past Magic by 38 points | |||||
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RECAP
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BOX SCORE
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 GAME FLOW
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) -- As the New Jersey Nets make a late-season drive toward an Eastern Conference playoff spot, role players like Johnny Newman and Scotty Burrell are making key contributions. Newman came off the bench to score a season-high 26 points and Burrell added 16 to lead the Nets past the Orlando Magic 129-91 Sunday night for their third straight victory. The Nets ended Orlando's winning streak at three and moved within three games of the Magic and the Milwaukee Bucks for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. New Jersey, winner of nine of its last 12 at home, opened some breathing room midway through the second quarter with an 18-6 burst that produced a 59-44 lead. The decisive spurt included three three-point baskets by Burrell. "We scored a lot of points," said Burrell. "But defensively we did a great job on them. We come off the bench hungry and if we stop people you get more minutes. That's what wins games, stopping your opponent." Newman, a veteran of 13 NBA seasons, stressed the importance of everyone contributing. "We're trying to fight our way into the playoff picture," Newman said. "Coming down the stretch you're going to need everybody so it's important to have guys who are ready and winning to come off the bench." Meanwhile, Nets coach Don Casey was elated with the play of his bench, which contributed 80 points and allowed him to limit his starters to fewer than 30 minutes each. "We got a wonderful lift from our bench," said Casey. "It was just fantastic." The Nets never let Orlando get within 10 points in the second half. The Magic's final run at keeping the game close came late in the third period, when a Pat Garrity jumper pulled the visitors within 81-70 with 2:50 remaining. But New Jersey answered with 14 straight points, including five by Newman, in a run bridging the third and fourth quarters that opened up a commanding 97-72 lead. To Darrell Armstrong, who led the Magic with 15 points, Orlando's 28 turnovers were decisive. "Turnovers are going to shoot you every time," Armstrong said. "Give them credit. It seemed like they were desperate for the win and we weren't. We're the hunted but we should still be playing like the hunter." Kerry Kittles added 14 for New Jersey while Keith Van Horn had 13. John Amaechi had 14 for the Magic. Game notesMagic forward Ron Mercer sat out the game, serving a one-game suspension for a post-game fight with Denver's George McCloud Saturday night. ... Amaechi was poked in the eye, had his nose bloodied and went to the locker room for treatment late in the first period but returned to action late in the second. ... The Nets, who are 18-12 at home, play seven of their next 10 games in New Jersey, while the Magic play four of their next five on the road. | ALSO SEE NBA Scoreboard Orlando Clubhouse New Jersey Clubhouse RECAPS Miami 105 Indiana 96
New Jersey 129
LA Clippers 112
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