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RECAP
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BOX SCORE
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GAME FLOW
ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) – The Orlando Magic know they have to beat
the New York Knicks to be successful. They just had to figure out
how.
|  | | Tracy McGrady scored 10 of the Magic's first 13 points in the fourth quarter. |
After losing two games to the Knicks this season by a combined
total of four points, Orlando relied on its young stars for a lift
and finally beat New York, 96-88 on Sunday.
"We just had to beat this team," Orlando coach Doc Rivers
said. "We really did. I didn't know how we were going to do it and
I didn't know if it was going to be today. We had to clear this
obstacle somehow, mentally and physically."
Tracy McGrady and rookie Mike Miller, both 21-year olds, led the
Magic with strong performances. McGrady had 32 points, including 15
in the fourth quarter on 6-of-7 shooting, and Miller made 6-of-11
shots to finish with 15 points.
"I think the difference between today and the last time we
played them is we're tougher," Rivers said. "We're the third
youngest team in the league and I'm amazed at how quickly the young
guys are learning. They are really coming through for us."
McGrady was determined to win, no matter what the cost.
"I wasn't losing this game," McGrady said. "I felt like we
should have beat them the previous two times, but unfortunately we
didn't. I really, really wanted to win this game. I was going to do
whatever it took."
Larry Johnson led New York with 25 points and 10 rebounds, but
scored only two in the fourth quarter. Latrell Sprewell had 17
points and Chris Childs added 12. The Knicks have dropped four of
their last six games.
"We are finding ourselves down and having to fight back into
the game," Sprewell said. "We are breaking our momentum. That has
been the case lately."
McGrady scored 10 of Orlando's first 13 points of the fourth
quarter to put the Magic ahead 83-71 with 8:28 remaining. Childs
responded with back-to-back 3-pointers and Sprewell added a basket
to cut the Magic's lead to 83-79 at 6:26. Neither team scored again
until Pat Garrity hit a 3-pointer with 4:00 left to give Orlando an
86-79 lead.
McGrady hit a 3-pointer at 1:22 that give Orlando a 93-84 lead
and put the game out of reach.
"He is so tall and long that he can get his shot whenever he
wants over Latrell and Allan (Houston)," Marcus Camby said. "He
is one of the best guards in the league.
"Those two shots he hit over me, I was right there. We tried
pretty much everything. We were not able to contest his shots."
The Knicks got within four, 88-84, on a field goal by Johnson at
2:21, but could get no closer. Orlando outscored New York 8-4 the
rest of the way.
The Magic opened the third quarter with a 12-2 run to take a
54-41 lead, their biggest of the game. The Knicks cut it to 67-65
on a jumper by Charlie Ward with 1:22 remaining. Garrity answered
with a 3-pointer to put Orlando up 70-65, but a basket by Ward cut
it to three heading into the fourth quarter.
Orlando went ahead 6-5 on a jumper by Miller at 7:47 of the
first quarter and never trailed again. McGrady and Bo Outlaw had
nine points each as Orlando led 42-39 at halftime.
Game notes
Orlando last had a nine-game win streak Nov. 12 to Dec. 2,
1994. ... Darrell Armstrong has 79 assists and 12 turnovers during
the streak. ... McGrady has led Orlando in scoring 34 times. ...
Johnson had a season-high points and has led New York in scoring
five times. ... Orlando scored 20 points off 18 New York turnovers.
The Magic had 11 turnovers.
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ALSO SEE
NBA Scoreboard
New York Clubhouse
Orlando Clubhouse
RECAPS
San Antonio 92
Toronto 74
Philadelphia 104
Phoenix 98
New Jersey 102
LA Clippers 96
Utah 94
Sacramento 90
Vancouver 110
Minnesota 102
Indiana 110
LA Lakers 109
Orlando 96
New York 88
Washington 101
Denver 98
Atlanta 98
Golden State 91
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