McGrady Puts on 62-Point Show

Tracy McGrady had a record-setting night that felt strangely empty.

McGrady scored a team-record 62 points, becoming only the third NBA player in the past dozen years to score that many, in the Orlando Magic’s 108-99 victory over the Washington Wizards on Wednesday night.

“I really didn’t enjoy it, but I should have,” McGrady said. “Usually when I have a big game like this, the crowd is going crazy and I like getting into it with them, but I didn’t feel it tonight.

“I couldn’t get into it because of the record we have, the fact we’re not going nowhere after the regular season -- it’s just frustrating.”

McGrady broke Shaquille O’Neal’s team record of 53 points set against Minnesota in 1994. It was the league’s first 60-point game since O’Neal had 61 for the Lakers against the Clippers on March 6, 2000.

McGrady made 20 of 37 shots from the field, including five of 14 from three-point range, and made 17 of 26 free throws in 46 minutes. He also had 10 rebounds and five assists.

“This might be a good place for us to start building momentum for next season,” Magic Coach Johnny Davis said. “That was a great individual performance by an amazing basketball player, and the icing on the cake is that we won the game.”

McGrady showed little emotion while scoring 55 of his points over the final three quarters -- most on jump shots from the 18- to 20-foot range.

“We could have stopped him by fouling him real hard, but you don’t want to play dirty basketball,” said Washington guard Gilbert Arenas, who fell one short of his career-high with 40 points. “You just got to let him play and once he gets it rolling, he’s really hard to stop.

“He put on one hell of a show,” said Magic teammate Keith Bogans. “I was just sitting there watching in amazement. I’ve never seen a guy take over a game like that.”

McGrady’s previous high was 52 points against Chicago on Feb. 21, 2003. He scored 51 earlier this season against Denver.

McGrady and Arenas, who had 31 and 22 points at halftime, resumed their shooting duel to start the second half, with McGrady scoring 16 points in the first seven minutes and Arenas countering with 11.

McGrady ended up with 24 points in the third quarter, one off the team-record 25 he scored in the second quarter against Denver last season.

“When it’s all said and done, this will just be one of 82 games in the book,” McGrady said. “Just close the book and that’s it. There’s nothing to be said except get ready for next season.”

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60-Point Club

The 17 players to score 60 or more points in a regular-season game and the number of times they accomplished the feat:

*--* PLAYER TIMES Wilt Chamberlain 32 Michael Jordan 4 Elgin Baylor 3 David Thompson 1 David Robinson 1 Pete Maravich 1 Rick Barry 1 Joe Fulks 1 Jerry West 1 George Gervin 1 George Mikan 1 Karl Malone 1 Shaquille O’Neal 1 Bernard King 1 Larry Bird 1 Tom Chambers 1 Tracy McGrady 1

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Scoring Machines

Most points scored in a NBA game the last 12 seasons:

*--* Play Team Pts Opponent, Date San Antonio 71 Clippers, er David Robinson April 24, 1994 Mich Chicago 63 Orlando, Jan. 16, ael 1993 Jord an Trac Orlando 62 Washington, March y 10, 2004 McGr ady Shaq Lakers 61 Clippers, March uill 6, 2000 e O’Ne al

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