Raptors Vanish Against Magic

The Orlando Magic might not have many stoppers on defense, but it had no trouble against the struggling Toronto Raptors.

Tracy McGrady had 22 points, and Orlando held Toronto to 14 fourth-quarter points en route to a 92-79 victory Sunday at Orlando, Fla. It was the Raptors’ 14th loss in 15 games.

“Every single player on the [court] gave everything, and they gave it on the defensive end, which is impressive,� Orlando Coach Doc Rivers said.

Orlando, among the league’s worst defensive teams, hadn’t given up fewer points since beating Detroit, 87-78, on Dec. 28. The Magic held Toronto to 37.6% shooting.

The Magic’s defense compensated for a below-average offense. McGrady, who scored a career-high 50 points against Washington on Friday, was only seven for 24 from the field and committed six first-half turnovers.

“It was a good team win,� McGrady said. “A couple of us didn’t shoot the ball extremely well, but defensively, we’ve turned it up.�

Vince Carter had 16 points to lead the Raptors. He missed most of the third quarter after Orlando’s Pat Garrity elbowed him in the head as he shot. Antonio Davis had 15 points and 12 rebounds.

Toronto, which couldn’t gain any momentum after ending a 13-game losing streak Friday at Miami, can blame the loss on another fourth-quarter flameout.

The Raptors were held without a field goal for a 7:09 span in the quarter. Carter missed his five shots.

“We have to keep executing on offense and keep making it happen,� Carter said. “We have to will our way to win.�

*

Houston 95, Utah 92--Steve Francis never had a doubt.

Francis made a three-pointer with one-tenth of a second left to lift the Rockets at Houston.

“I actually looked around to see if anybody was open,� Francis said. “I knew it was in when it left my hand. I just wanted to be sure there was no time left and I milked it just right.�

Utah point guard John Stockton had 13 assists to give him 15,000 in his career. Magic Johnson is second on the league’s all-time list with 10,141.

Francis finished with 16 points. Karl Malone led the Jazz with 21 points and Stockton had 12 points, 10 in the fourth quarter.

*

Boston 98, Washington 91--The Celtics are getting a taste of the postseason with a home-and-home series against Washington.

Antoine Walker scored 23 points and Paul Pierce had 18 for the Celtics at Boston.

“It’s kind of a mini-playoff,� Walker said. “Now we’ve got to be ready for their energy level at home.�

The teams play tonight at Washington. The Wizards are 2-5 since Michael Jordan had knee surgery.

“Our security blanket has been Michael,� Coach Doug Collins said. “But we don’t have that now, and we just don’t have another go-to guy.�

*

Indiana 89, Detroit 84--Jermaine O’Neal had 23 points and 14 rebounds to lead the Pacers at Auburn Hills, Mich.

Reserve Corliss Williamson led the Pistons with 22 points. Ben Wallace tied a Detroit record with five blocked shots in the first quarter.

*

Charlotte 88, Phoenix 82--Reserve Jamaal Magloire and Jamal Mashburn keyed a decisive 20-3 second-period run for the Hornets at Phoenix.

Charlotte built a 22-point lead in the third quarter, then survived a furious Phoenix rally in ending a three-game losing streak. The Hornets solidified their hold on the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.

Mashburn led the Hornets with 26 points. Shawn Marion scored 27 for the Suns.