NBA ROUNDUP : Orlando Gains First Berth in Playoffs

The Orlando Magic claimed its first playoff berth Friday, but there’s at least one vote that says it won’t be the last.

“I’d say Orlando is in pretty good hands for a long time with the big guy here,” Piston guard Isiah Thomas said after Orlando defeated Detroit, 117-103. “I’d tell them to sit back, relax and enjoy the ride. They’re going to be (in the playoffs) for a long time.”

The reason is Shaquille O’Neal, who was bigger than usual at Orlando with 40 points and 16 rebounds.

The Magic led, 84-55, in the third quarter before Detroit closed to 106-97 with five minutes left.

O’Neal, who made all 12 of his free throws, pulled the Magic out of the tailspin with a turnaround jump shot and two free throws as Orlando went on a 9-2 run to seal the outcome.

“This is something to savor,” said Nick Anderson, the first draft pick in the team’s history. “It’s been a long time coming, and I would really like to sit back and enjoy it.”

He didn’t get much of a chance. The Magic quickly turned their attention to securing homecourt advantage for the first round.

“I’m very happy about making the playoffs, but that’s just the first part of the job,” Magic Coach Brian Hill said. “We’re in, and now we’re going to try and finish up as high as we can.”

Chicago 100, Indiana 94--Scottie Pippen’s three-pointer with 42 seconds to play highlighted a 9-0 run as the Bulls took advantage of the Pacers’ five turnovers in the final 1:40 at Indianapolis.

Washington 108, Cleveland 98--Rex Chapman scored 29 points and Don MacLean had 26 points and 12 rebounds as the Bullets won at home and prevented the Cavaliers from clinching a playoff berth.

Philadelphia 100, New York 97--Clarence Weatherspoon scored 26 points and rookie Greg Graham made two key free throws with 11 seconds to play at Philadelphia, where the 76ers won their second in a row after 11 consecutive losses at the Spectrum and 25 losses in 26 games.

Charles Oakley had 18 points and 18 rebounds for the Knicks, who played without center Patrick Ewing, sidelined with flu.

Seattle 111, Dallas 93--Gary Payton scored four of his 22 points in an 11-0 burst to start the fourth quarter at Seattle as the SuperSonics matched a franchise record with their 56th victory.

Charlotte 99, New Jersey 78--Alonzo Mourning scored 19 points and blocked four shots as the Hornets kept their slim playoff hopes alive with a victory in Charlotte, N.C.

The victory, the Hornets’ 11th in 17 games, pulled Charlotte within 4 1/2 games of the Nets for the Eastern Conference’s eighth playoff spot.

Boston 112, Minnesota 108--Robert Parish made two free throws with 28 seconds left to break a tie, and the Timberwolves missed two short shots in the last 13 seconds at Boston.

Sacramento 104, Phoenix 101--Mitch Richmond scored 33 points to lead the Kings at home, where they defeated Phoenix for the first time in 13 games.