O’Neal Finally Takes Advantage of Opponent’s Free Offer, 122-109

While San Antonio’s strategy was sound, Shaquille O’Neal’s will was much stronger.

Orlando’s All-Star center was determined not to cost his team another game--not to mention the Magic’s impressive home winning streak--from the foul line Sunday at Orlando.

O’Neal made five consecutive free throws in the final 3:03 of regulation, then jump-started the Magic with a short hook and a highlight-film dunk in the opening minutes of overtime to help Orlando to a 122-109 victory over the Spurs.

“He just looked over to me and said, ‘I ain’t missing today,’ ” San Antonio Coach Bob Hill said. “I just shook my head. What are you going to do? He just made them all.”

O’Neal, who finished with 26 points and 12 rebounds, missed two crucial attempts in a road loss at New York last Thursday night. The Spurs’ strategy down the stretch was to foul him before he had a chance to make a move toward the basket and get off a shot.

Nick Anderson led the Magic with 33 points, seven of them in the extra period, to offset a 36-point, 11-rebound performance by San Antonio’s David Robinson.

Indiana 90, New York 83--Derrick McKey scored 21 points as the Pacers extended their franchise-record winning streak at home to 17 games.

The Knicks fell behind early as they shot as frigidly as the below-zero temperatures outside Market Square Arena, where the Pacers haven’t lost since a 100-93 decision to Cleveland on Nov. 24.

New York, averaging 47% from the field for the season, shot 38.5% in the first half after connecting on only six of 19 shots in the second quarter. That gave Indiana a 46-36 halftime advantage and the Knicks never drew closer than seven points again.

Phoenix 123, Washington 115--Charles Barkley had 31 points and 15 rebounds and Kevin Johnson scored nine of his 23 points in overtime at Landover, Md.

Danny Manning, playing his second game since returning from knee surgery, came off the Phoenix bench to score 22 points in 25 minutes.

Calbert Cheaney had a season-high 29 for the Bullets, who haven’t beaten the Suns since March 9, 1988. Washington lost twice in overtime to Phoenix this season.

Atlanta 106, Charlotte 104--Steve Smith scored 30 points and Grant Long put Atlanta ahead to stay on a three-point play with 1:03 remaining at Atlanta.

Atlanta trailed nearly the entire game and was down by 14 late in the third quarter. But three-point baskets--one aided by a rare basket interference call--and Long’s three-point play helped the Hawks win for the first time since their 10-game victory streak ended last week.

Golden State 96, New Jersey 92--Latrell Sprewell had 22 points and B.J. Armstrong had a season-high 12 assists as the Warriors used a late 13-2 run to break open a close game at Oakland.

Rony Seikaly added 19 points and Joe Smith had 16 points and 10 rebounds for the Warriors, who have won nine of 12 at home.