Hill, McGrady Enjoy Good Start

Scorer, rebounder, passer. That was the Grant Hill the Orlando Magic thought they were getting two long years ago, and that was who came to play Tuesday night.

Looking nothing like the player last seen limping away on a brittle left ankle, the five-time All-Star had 18 points, seven assists and six rebounds in his first game since December as the Magic beat the Philadelphia 76ers, 95-88, at Orlando, Fla.

“Physically, I felt good,” Hill said. “Mentally, I was a little rusty. But it was great to get out there, it was good to play.”

Tracy McGrady had a 31 points and five assists for the Magic.

“I thought Hill and Tracy, the last eight minutes, played the two-man game off each other as well as you can play,” Orlando Coach Doc Rivers said. “They’re going to keep getting better.”

Hill showed no effects from the three ankle surgeries that have held him out of all but 18 games over the last two years, shooting five of 10 from the field and eight of nine from the line. Occasionally playing point forward, he turned the ball over three times in 33 minutes.

Keith Van Horn had 19 points and 10 rebounds to lead Philadelphia, while Aaron McKie also had 19. Allen Iverson shot seven for 25, missing his final eight attempts, for 18 points.

The Magic held Philadelphia to 35% shooting (18 of 52) after the first quarter and scored 25 points off 20 turnovers.

“I know we’re trying to win, but we need to learn how to win helping each other,” Philadelphia Coach Larry Brown said. “We shot so many times without any opportunity to control the tempo or get other people open.”

The Magic lost Horace Grant, still recovering from off-season surgery, to a sore left knee at halftime.

Sacramento 94, Cleveland 67 -- Peja Stojakovic scored 17 points and Chris Webber had 14 rebounds as the Kings opened a season of great expectations with an easy victory at Sacramento.

The Kings unveiled a banner as the defending Pacific Division champion beforehand.

Playing without their starting backcourt of Doug Christie (suspension) and Mike Bibby (foot injury), the Kings had no trouble with the Cavaliers, who made 24 turnovers and shot less than 33%.

Ricky Davis led Cleveland with 17 points.