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Friday, Apr. 13 7:00pm ET
Loss keeps Magic one game behind Hornets

RECAP | BOX SCORE | GAME FLOW

WASHINGTON (AP) – Tracy McGrady scored a career-high 49 points, but the Orlando Magic could have used a few more as they try to improve their playoff seeding.

Tracy McGrady
Tracy McGrady, right, feels the heat from Wizards guard Laron Profit.
McGrady missed his last shot, a potential game-tying 9-footer everyone in the building knew he was going to take, and the Washington Wizards held on to beat the Magic 113-110 Friday night.

The loss kept the Magic from moving into a tie for sixth place with the Charlotte Hornets in the Eastern Conference. Orlando is one game behind Charlotte; both have three games remaining.

"I don't think we realize how important these last games are and what we're trying to accomplish," McGrady said. "I'm just in a mode right now where I'm trying to carry this team."

Richard Hamilton scored 30 points, and Christian Laettner matched his season high with 26 as the Wizards ended a six-game losing streak. The victory also means Washington will avoid setting a franchise record for worst season winning percentage.

With the score 112-110, McGrady worked his way into the paint against Laron Profit. But Profit stayed tight on McGrady, who missed with seven seconds remaining.

"I felt like I was there," Profit said. "But I'd been there all night on some of them -- he just kept making them. This time, he just happened to miss it. I felt if he went left, he was going to pull up, and if he went right he was going to go all the way. He went left, and I was fortunate enough to get a hand up."

After the Wizards made one of two free throws, McGrady got the ball on the last possession, drew a crowd and passed to Pat Garrity, who missed a 3-pointer at the buzzer.

McGrady said he was tired during the final possessions, which is understandable since he played 44 of 48 minutes. He made 19 of 31 field goals, nine of 14 free throws and had eight rebounds, seven assists, four blocked shots and six turnovers. The 49 points ties the MCI Center record set by Boston's Antoine Walker in 1998.

McGrady's previous high was 44 points, which he reached twice earlier this season. Orlando is 1-2 when he scores 40 or more.

With Darrell Armstrong missing his second consecutive game with a groin injury, McGrady provided most of the Magic's offense after the first period, scoring 19 of his team's 26 points in the second quarter, 13 of 29 in the third and 13 of 28 in the fourth.

McGrady also missed four consecutive free throws that could have slowed a Wizards run early in the four quarter. The Magic were just 21-for-36 from the free-throw line.

"Where we lost the game was on the free-throw line," Orlando coach Doc Rivers said. "If there's any area I'm concerned about going into the playoffs, that would be the one."

The Wizards' biggest lead was 106-96 with 3:19 to play. McGrady made a 3-pointer with 1:36 to go and followed with two more baskets to get the Magic within 112-110 with 34.3 seconds left.

Laettner then lost the ball out of bounds with 14.4 seconds left, but McGrady couldn't capitalize at the other end.

"We really didn't execute tonight, which is unusual for us," Rivers said. "That just means it must be Game 79."

Game notes
Troy Hudson, making his fourth consecutive start, scored 10 of his 23 points in the first quarter for the Magic. ... Orlando reserve center Michael Doleac sat out the game after spraining his left ankle Thursday against Philadelphia. ... McGrady scored 44 points in a victory at Philadelphia on March 28 and in a home loss against Phoenix on Feb. 20. ... Wizards center Jahidi White sat out the second half with a leg injury.

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RECAPS
Washington 113
Orlando 110

Cleveland 97
New Jersey 91

New York 101
Atlanta 65

Indiana 113
Boston 108

Toronto 94
Miami 82

Utah 94
Chicago 83

Dallas 101
Sacramento 97

Denver 108
Golden State 92

Phoenix 109
Seattle 100

Houston 109
Portland 103

LA Clippers 111
Minnesota 105

AUDIO/VIDEO
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 Mike Miller feeds Tracy McGrady, who knocks down the 3-pointer.
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