MAGIC SURVIVE WOES AT STRIPE, EDGE 76ERS
The Orlando Magic could’ve had a smoother finish, though they couldn’t complain about their performance the rest of the night.
Evan Fournier scored 20 points and the host Magic survived a collapse from the free throw line in the final minute to squeeze out a 98-97 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers on Friday.
“The end wasn’t great, but we can clean that up,” Magic coach Steve Clifford said. “That’s a good win against a good team.”
Aaron Gordon had 19 points and 11 rebounds, and Nikola Vucevic had 16 points and 12 rebounds for Orlando, which won its second straight.
“It felt like Magic basketball tonight as far as the defense and preparation,” Fournier said. “They are one of the top teams in the East, and we were ready for a fight. We need to be like that every night.”
Joel Embiid and Tobias Harris each had 24 points and 11 rebounds for the 76ers, who had their three-game winning streak snapped. Embiid missed a desperation 30-footer at the buzzer that could have won it.
Orlando led 93-83 after Gordon’s dunk with 1:49 left in the game, but it was far from over. The Magic were 5 of 11 from the free throw line in the final 1:30. That included four misses in the final 30 seconds.
Philadelphia’s last four field goals were 3-pointers
Magic 98, 76ers 97
that gave the visitors a chance at winning. Embiid hit the last of them with 5.1 seconds to play that cut the Sixers’ deficit to 98-97.
Ben Simmons then stole the inbounds pass at the Magic end of the court and gave it to Embiid, who launched his desperation shot as the buzzer sounded. It was short and left, and Orlando survived.
Heat 113, Pacers 112: Goran Dragic scored in the lane with 6.8 seconds remaining to cap a wild finish, and Miami improved the NBA’S best home record to 14-1 by defeating Indiana.
Dragic’s shot was the third by Miami on the go-ahead possession, after Jimmy Butler
and Kendrick Nunn both missed but the Heat were able to grab offensive rebounds to keep hope alive. Aaron Holiday had a chance to win it for Indiana, but his 10-footer with about a second left bounced away.
Celtics 129, Cavaliers 117: Jaylen Brown matched his career high with 34 points, Jayson Tatum had 24 of his 30 points in the opening half and
Boston cruised to its fifth straight victory.
Enes Kanter added 14 points and Kemba Walker had 13 for Boston, which improved to 13-1 at home.
Thunder 104, Hornets 102 (OT): Shai Gilgeous-alexander scored 27 points, Dennis Schroder added 24 off the bench and visiting Oklahoma City edged Charlotte in overtime for its fifth win in the last six games.
Chris Paul finished with 16 points for the Thunder, 10 of those coming in the fourth quarter and overtime.
Bucks 112, Hawks 86: Khris Middleton scored 23 points, Ersan Ilyasova had season highs of 18 points and 17 rebounds and Nba-leading Milwaukee overcame Giannis Antetokunmpo’s absence win at Atlanta.
Antetokunmpo, the league MVP last season and second-leading scorer this season, sat out because of back soreness. He watched from the bench as his teammates helped Milwaukee improve to 28-5 overall and 13-3 on the road.
Warriors 106, Suns 95: D’angelo Russell had 31 points and six assists, and host Golden State rallied from 10 down in the fourth quarter to beat Phoenix for its fourth straight victory.
Damion Lee added 16 points, Alec Burks scored nine of his 13 in the fourth quarter, and Draymond Green had 11 points and seven rebounds.
Devin Booker scored 34 points for Phoenix.
Notable
Lebron James is listed as questionable for today’s game at Portland with a groin contusion, according to the L.A. Times. The Lakers have played only one game this season without James — a 24point loss to the Nuggets. Anthony Davis (knee) is listed as probable.