76ers Miss Last-Ditch Shot

McGrady, who matched a career-high with 44 points, took an inbounds pass at halfcourt, drove and banked a shot high off the glass with 2.7 seconds as the Orlando Magic held off a frenzied comeback by Philadelphia and beat the 76ers 96-95 Wednesday night.

"I had a good running start and definitely had my man beat," said McGrady, who shot 18-for-35 from the field. "It was a shot I had to make. After I got by my man, I thought somebody would be there to meet me. I got it up high on the backboard because I thought someone would be coming."

Philadelphia coach Larry Brown wasn`t shocked by McGrady`s play, even though the Sixers didn`t look ready for it.

"Tracy made a great play but I could kick myself because I kind of figured he would penetrate," Brown said.

A desperation heave by Allen Iverson fell short for Philadelphia, which lost for the sixth time in seven games. Iverson, battling bronchitis, finished with 37 points and 10 turnovers. His three-point play with 7.6 seconds remaining gave the Sixers a 95-94 lead.

Darrell Armstrong had 14 points and Mike Miller added 13 points for the Magic, who forced the Sixers into a season-high 27 turnovers and won their second straight.

Eric Snow scored 10 of his 14 points in the fourth quarter and added 10 assists. Jumaine Jones had 13 points and Tyrone Hill finished with 17 rebounds for Philadelphia, which outrebounded Orlando 56-40. Matt Geiger had 11 points and eight rebounds.

Orlando led by as many as 12 points in the fourth quarter and was ahead 90-79 with 3:47 left. The 76ers went on a 13-4 run, closing within two points at 94-92 when Snow, who scored eight points in the outburst, hit a pair of free throws with 1:07 remaining.

"We tried to give it away at the end but couldn`t do it," Magic coach Doc Rivers said.

The Magic scored 24 of the last 30 points in the third period and outscored the Sixers 30-10, opening up a 73-63 lead by the end of the quarter. McGrady had 11 points in the outburst, which came in the final eight minutes of the quarter.

"The third quarter was a disaster," Brown said.

Philadelphia led by as many as 13 in the first half. The Sixers took a 49-36 lead with 1:33 left on a jumper by Geiger. The Magic scored eight of the last 10 in the half and closed within seven, 51-44, at the break.

Notes:
Sixers coach Larry Brown was nominated as a finalist for induction into the National Basketball Hall of Fame on Wednesday. Brown, in his fourth season with Philadelphia, has won more than 1,000 games in his career at the college and pro level. Former 76ers Bobby Jones and Moses Malone were also nominated. ... Philadelphia`s Aaron McKie left the game in the third quarter after twisting his right knee and did not return. McKie, who is also nursing a chronic right shoulder injury, was 0-for-3 in 13 minutes. ... McGrady`s 44 points were the most by a Sixers opponent this season.

(Copyright 2001 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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Author: 6 ABC - Action News (AP)