Streak-Vanishing Act Is Thwarted by Magic

The streak is intact and the record in sight, but both were in jeopardy Friday night in Orlando, Fla.

The Magic has won 38 regular-season home games in a row, but No. 38 came a little harder than most. And longer.

Shaquille O’Neal scored four of his 36 points in overtime for Orlando, which defeated Charlotte, 117-112, to tie the NBA record for consecutive home-court victories.

Sunday’s game against Phoenix offers a chance to break Boston’s record. The Chicago Bulls, who have won 37 in a row in the United Center, threaten to make any Orlando record short-lived.

That there is an opportunity for the record at all is something of a relief for the Magic.

“Our manhood was challenged,” O’Neal said. “But we persevered.”

Both teams squandered opportunities to win in regulation.

Dennis Scott’s turnover led to Glen Rice’s three-point basket that brought the Hornets into a 103-103 tie with 47 seconds to play. Charlotte’s Dell Curry missed a potential game-winning jump shot with three seconds to go, giving Orlando a chance to win in regulation.

Brian Shaw inbounded the ball to Scott from mid-court, but the Orlando forward missed a six-foot hook in the lane at the buzzer.

Then O’Neal took over, scoring the overtime’s first four points.

The Magic players understand that they are a target, particularly at home.

“I think this was sort of a wake-up call,” Scott said. “We’ve been playing so well here this season, beating and blowing teams out. This was a good chance for us to wake up and realize that when teams come in here, they’re ready to play us.”

O’Neal made 16 of 21 shots and Anfernee Hardaway scored 31 points. Hardaway, Scott and Nick Anderson each made four three-point baskets as the Magic set an NBA record by making at least one three-point shot for the 210th consecutive game.

Portland 117, Sacramento 105--Buck Williams celebrated his 36th birthday with a season-high 21 points and 11 rebounds for the Trail Blazers, who won at home and added to Sacramento’s woes.

Rod Strickland returned from his self-imposed exile with 19 points and 12 assists as the Trail Blazers climbed half a game ahead of the Kings in the race for the final Western Conference playoff spot.

Sacramento lost its fifth in a row and 16th in the last 17 games.

Atlanta 94, Milwaukee 91--Christian Laettner scored 17 points and put the Hawks ahead for good with a driving shot in the lane with 1:10 to play as they defeated the Bucks in Atlanta.

Laettner also had a season-high 13 rebounds in helping the Hawks win for the sixth time in the eight games since they acquired him in a trade with Minnesota.

Seattle 132, Minnesota 112--Gary Payton matched his personal best with 33 points for the SuperSonics in an easy victory in Minneapolis. Seattle is 20-0 in five years against the Timberwolves.

Utah 109, Houston 89--John Stockton made his first nine shots and finished 11 of 12 from the field with 25 points to lead the Jazz to its sixth victory in a row and 14th in a row at home.

Cleveland 96, Boston 91--Chris Mills scored 22 points and the Cavaliers withstood a 23-2 fourth-quarter run to win at Boston.

San Antonio 115, New Jersey 100--David Robinson scored 44 points, one short of his season high, for the Spurs, who won at home and sent the Nets to their fifth loss in a row.

Indiana 94, Vancouver 80--Rik Smits scored 15 of his 24 points in the second half and Reggie Miller added 20 points for the Pacers, who won at Vancouver and handed the Grizzlies their 10th loss in a row.

Miami 109, Toronto 79--The Heat scored 17 of the game’s first 19 points and led by as many as 40 at Miami. Walt Williams scored 21 points, including nine in the game-opening run, Tim Hardaway added 23 and Alonzo Mourning had 15 on seven-for-eight shooting.

*

NBA Notes

The Miami Heat will join the NHL’s Florida Panthers in a move out of Miami Arena to a new $212-million arena in Broward County.

(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX / INFOGRAPHIC)

Home Sweet Home

Most consecutive home victories

*--*

W Team Dates 38 Orlando March 21, 1995-now 38 Boston Dec. 10, 1985-Nov. 28, 1986 37 Chicago March 30, 1995-now 36 Philadelphia Jan. 14, 1966-Jan. 20, 1967 34 Portland March 5, 1977-Feb. 3, 1978 33 Boston Dec. 17, 1986-Nov. 18, 1987

*--*