RECAP
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BOX SCORE
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GAME FLOW
ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) -- The Orlando Magic didn't have to rely on
Tracy McGrady for a change.
Darrell Armstrong scored 23 points and John Amaechi had 16 and
as the Orlando Magic stopped a two-game losing streak by defeating
the Indiana Pacers 93-86 Tuesday night.
"I liked this win because we did not have to put it on Tracy's
shoulders," coach Doc Rivers said.
Amaechi, who totaled only 15 points in his previous three games,
admitted his effort against Indiana was the sort of boost he
needed.
"I have been playing progressively a little bit better, trying
to finish, slow things down a little bit, like I did last year,"
Amaechi said. "Luckily, a few dropped tonight. That gave me that
little bit of confidence I needed."
McGrady had 19 points and Armstrong added nine assists and seven
rebounds. Orlando also got a boost off the bench from Michael
Doleac, who had eight points, nine rebounds and four blocked shots.
"Tracy had an efficient basketball game," Rivers said. "He
went through that one stretch in the third quarter where he missed
a couple of shots and we took him out to give him some rest and
look at what he was doing and to gather himself.
"I thought he really kept trying to get the team involved and
that was nice."
Orlando played without forward Bo Outlaw, who was suspended for
one game without pay and fined $10,000 for intentionally making
physical contact with a referee during the Magic's last game
against Miami.
The Pacers, who have dropped their last three games, had four
players reach double figures. Reggie Miller had 18, Bruno Sundov
17, Jalen Rose 16 and Jermaine O'Neal 14. O'Neal added 12 rebounds
and four blocked shots.
A basket by Miller cut Orlando's lead to 74-72 with 6:50
remaining, but Doleac made back-to-back shots and Armstrong
followed with a 3-pointer that put the Magic ahead 81-72.
Orlando led by at least six points the rest of the game.
"We're getting enough stops but not enough baskets," Indiana
coach Isiah Thomas said. "Our halfcourt sets, we go down, set up
and score. But we can't seem to do it on the fastbreak."
McGrady's basket to start the third quarter put Orlando ahead,
46-36. The Pacers went on to shoot 12-of-20 to lead 66-64 heading
into the fourth quarter.
Orlando finished the first half on a 15-4 run to lead 44-36.
Game notes The Pacers placed Sam Perkins on the injured list with a
sprained neck and activated Sundov from the injured list. Sundov
was placed on the injured list Dec. 25 with a strained right groin.
... Each team has won 20 times in the last 40 meetings. ... Orlando
was won four of the last five against Indiana at home.
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ALSO SEE
NBA Scoreboard
Indiana Clubhouse
Orlando Clubhouse
RECAPS
LA Lakers 102 Cleveland 96
Orlando 93 Indiana 86
Toronto 96 Philadelphia 89
Miami 103 Houston 85
Portland 92 Chicago 81
Utah 102 Seattle 88
Sacramento 105 Golden State 79
FROM ATHLETESDIRECT
Reggie Miller Official Site
Tracy McGrady Official Site
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