McGrady Lifts Magic Over Timberwolves

Tracy McGrady scored 16 of his 39 points in the first quarter and Darrell Armstrong added a season-high 29 as the Orlando Magic defeated the Minnesota Timberwolves, 117-106, Wednesday night at Orlando, Fla.

McGrady also had eight assists and seven rebounds for Orlando (6-6). Rookie center Steven Hunter had a career-best 13 points.

The Magic set season highs for scoring in the first quarter (36 points) and first half (67). McGrady also set season marks for Orlando with his 16-point first quarter and 22-point first half.

Minnesota (9-2) was led by Joe Smith’s 26 points and 12 rebounds, both season highs. Kevin Garnett had 22 points and 13 rebounds.

Sacramento 95, Portland 83--Mike Bibby scored a season-high 25 points as the Kings improved to 6-0 at home by defeating the Trail Blazers.

Peja Stojakovic scored 21 points as the Kings played their first tough game of the season at Arco Arena. Seven players scored in double figures for Portland, which took its first lead since the first quarter on rookie Zach Randolph’s jumper early in the fourth.

Sacramento went back ahead on consecutive three-pointers by Hedo Turkoglu and Stojakovic, and the Kings ended the game on a 14-3 run, highlighted by Vlade Divac’s no-look pass to Stojakovic for a cutting layup with 1:10 left.

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Philadelphia 94, Detroit 89--Allen Iverson scored 38 points despite missing 23 of 35 shots and Dikembe Mutombo added 13 points and 14 rebounds to lead the 76ers at Philadelphia.

The defending Eastern Conference champions have won six in a row since Iverson returned from elbow surgery after opening with five consecutive losses.

Clifford Robinson scored 35 points and Jon Barry added 14 for Detroit, which lost leading-scorer Jerry Stackhouse to a groin injury in the third quarter.

Dallas 89, Charlotte 78--Michael Finley scored 22 points as the Mavericks broke their three-game losing streak with a victory over the injury-depleted Hornets at Charlotte, N.C.

Dirk Nowitzki added 17 points and Juwan Howard added 16 off the bench for the Mavericks, who beat the Hornets for the fifth consecutive time. Charlotte was playing without injured starters Jamal Mashburn and David Wesley.

Atlanta 92, Boston 85--The Hawks ended a 21-game road losing streak as Shareef Abdur-Rahim scored 28 points at Boston.

Phoenix 96, New York 72--Stephon Marbury scored 20 points and led a potent transition game as the Suns won easily at Phoenix.

Milwaukee 96, Chicago 92--Sam Cassell and Glenn Robinson each scored 22 points to lead the Bucks to a victory over the pesky 1-10 Bulls at Milwaukee.

San Antonio 110, Seattle 93--Tim Duncan scored 30 points and had 13 rebounds at San Antonio to lead the Spurs to their sixth consecutive victory.

Cleveland 101, Memphis 94--Wesley Person scored a season-high 24 points, Andre Miller had 14 assists and the Cavaliers finally won at home in defeating the Grizzlies. Cleveland is 1-4 at home.

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Center Matt Geiger retired from the 76ers because of an arthritic condition in both knees. Geiger, on the injured list since Nov. 9, hasn’t been with the team for a few days. He sat out 47 games last season because of various leg problems. Geiger averaged 9.2 points and 5.7 rebounds in 10 NBA seasons.... Chicago put forward Eddie Robinson on the injured list and activated guard A.J. Guyton.