Scott, O’Neal Dynamic as a Duo for the Magic

What do you do if you’re facing the Orlando Magic? Do you try to stop Dennis Scott from throwing up three-point bombs from the outside? Or do you try to stop Shaquille O’Neal from slamming in points on the inside.

On Thursday night, New Jersey could do neither at East Rutherford, N.J.

Scott matched his season high by hitting eight three-point shots and scored 30 points in a 114-98 Orlando victory. O’Neal took advantage after Shawn Bradley picked up three early fouls and finished with 33 points as the Magic won for the eighth time in nine games since the All-Star break.

The eight three-point baskets were one less than Scott’s own team record and two off the NBA mark set by Brian Shawn in 1993 and matched by Detroit’s Joe Dumars in 1994 and Dallas’ George McCloud earlier this season.

Dallas 137, Denver 120--Jim Jackson scored 30 points, Jason Kidd had a triple-double, and the Mavericks set two NBA three-point records at Denver.

The Mavericks hit 18 of 37 from three-point range, breaking the NBA mark for three-pointers of 17 set by Golden State against Minnesota on April 12, 1995.

The Mavericks also hit 12 of 21 from three-point range in the first half, the most for a half. The old record of 11 was set only six days earlier by Miami against Chicago.

Kidd had 26 points, 12 rebounds and 12 assists.

Cleveland 95, Milwaukee 86--John Crotty scored 19 points and hit seven of eight free-throw attempts in the final three minutes at Milwaukee, helping the Cavaliers overcome the loss of their starting backcourt.

Although guards Bobby Phills (sprained leg) and All-Star Terrell Brandon (bruised tailbone) were injured in the first half, Cleveland, with a backcourt of Crotty and Bob Sura (12 points and five assists), still managed to beat the Bucks for the 10th time in a row.

Houston 109, Philadelphia 95--Hakeem Olajuwon scored 42 points and added 11 rebounds at Houston as the Rockets spoiled the return of their former teammate Vernon Maxwell.

Maxwell, who left the Rockets before last season’s playoffs, finished with 12 points and three assists for the 76ers.

San Antonio 120, Toronto 95--Vinny Del Negro led the sharp-shooting Spurs at San Antonio with 24 points. San Antonio made 59% of its shots from the floor, including 68% in the first half.

The Raptors contributed generously to their seventh consecutive loss, committing a franchise-record 30 turnovers.

Indiana 94, Golden State 85--Ricky Pierce scored 11 of his 17 points in the fourth quarter at Indianapolis in a game in which the Pacers never trailed en route to their fifth consecutive victory.

NBA Notes

Charlotte Hornet forward Scott Burrell is out for the season after shoulder surgery. . . . New Jersey Net forward Tim Perry will be sidelined for about a month after knee surgery.