LOS ANGELES, 10 December 2003 — After 40 days of futility, the struggling Orlando Magic can finally smile.
Tracy McGrady collected 16 points, 11 rebounds and nine assists as the Magic rallied from a 22-point first half deficit to shade the visiting Phoenix Suns 105-98 on Monday night, and snap their franchise-record 19-game losing streak.
“The 19-game losing streak wears on you,” said McGrady with a big sigh of relief. “That monkey on our backs was getting real heavy, and my knees were starting to buckle a little bit. But our guys came out and did a splendid job of playing hard tonight.
Drew Gooden had 21 points, while Juwan Howard and Gordon Giricek added 19 apiece for Orlando, which recorded its third greatest comeback in team history to post its first win since beating the New York Knicks on the road in their season opener on Oct. 29.
The Magic, who owned the fourth longest futility streak in NBA history, looked to be adding to it. They fell behind 38-16 just 10 minutes into the contest, and trailed 71-54 with 7:22 left in the third quarter, before storming back with an effective zone defense. With the game knotted at 95-apiece, the Magic went on a decisive 10-3 closing run in the final 3 minutes. Howard ignited the surge with the go-ahead lay-in, Giricek buried a 3-pointer, and Zaza Pachulia made two free throws to end the drought.
Shawn Marion had season-high of 29 points and 17 rebounds for Phoenix, which has dropped five of its last six outings. Penny Hardaway had 22 points against his former team, while Stephon Marbury finished with 15 points and 11 assists.
San Antonio Spurs 96 Chicago Bulls 82
Manu Ginobili scored 14 of his 26 points in the last five minutes as the visiting Spurs sent the Bulls to their 10th loss in the last 11 games. Tim Duncan had 17 points and 14 rebounds, while Rasho Nesterovic also added 17 points for the defending NBA champions Spurs, who have won three in a row. Jamal Crawford led Chicago with 26 points. Antonio Davis had 16 rebounds and 13 boards, while Eddy Curry scored all 16 of his points in the fourth quarter.
Hornets 91 Milwaukee Bucks 85
Baron Davis, shook off a dismal 6-for-25 shooting night with five of his 18 points in the final 30 seconds, to go along with 10 assists as the host Hornets handed the Bucks their third straight loss.
Jamaal Magloire had 20 points and 11 rebounds, while David Wesley added 18 points for New Orleans. Desmond Mason led Milwaukee with 17 points, while Joe Smith had 13 points and 15 rebounds.
Boston Celtics 102, Utah Jazz 80
Eric Williams scored 19 points while Mike James added 18 and nine assists as the Celtics beat the Jazz for just the second time in 14 visits to Utah. Paul Pierce finished with 14 points for short-handed Boston, which played without flu-ridden forward Vin Baker. Matt Harpring scored 17 points and Radja Bell added 16 for Utah, which fell to 10-2 at home this season. Jazz guard Raul Lopez twisted his ankle just before halftime and limped off the court.
