Guest JohnnySwift Report post Posted December 9, 2003 Magic rally from 22 down to snap 19-game losing streak Dec. 8, 2003 SportsLine.com wire reports ORLANDO, Fla. -- The Orlando Magic turned up their game -- and the volume. "We had that music crunked, man," Tracy McGrady said after the Magic beat the Phoenix Suns 105-98 on Monday night to snap a 19-game losing streak. As the music blared, coach Johnny Davis was accepting a bottle of champagne in honor of his first victory since taking over for the fired Doc Rivers on Nov. 18. "For the first time in a long time, we have a very happy locker room," Davis said. "And, for the first time in a long time, I can actually smile." The Magic, 1-9 under Davis, avoided becoming only the sixth team in NBA history to lose 20 straight games. The losing streak was the NBA's longest since 1997-98, when the Denver Nuggets lost 23 straight to tie the 1995-96 Vancouver Grizzlies for most consecutive losses in one season. The overall record is 24 by the Cleveland Cavaliers at the end of 1981-82 and the start of the following season. The Magic had to climb out of a 22-point hole in the first quarter to win for the first time since Oct. 29, an overtime victory in the opener at New York. It was the third-biggest comeback in team history, and the largest deficit the Magic have overcome at home. "We just kept fighting, even though we knew that it was an uphill battle," Davis said. "That's really what we've done throughout this streak. We've been fighting and we're bringing it, but we didn't close out the games. "Tonight, we did." McGrady had 16 points, 11 rebounds and a season-high nine assists. Drew Gooden scored 15 of his 21 points in the first half. After the Magic finally broke ahead late in the third quarter, they were for once on the good side of a late-game surge. Orlando closed the game on a 10-2 run, with Gordan Giricek hitting a 3-pointer and two free throws. Giricek had 19 points, as did Juwan Howard. Howard's up-and-under layup broke a 95-all tie, and started the Magic to their first regular-season home win since April 12. "It's good to feel how a victory feels like," said Giricek, who made all six of his shots, including three 3-pointers, and all four free throws. Orlando topped 100 points for only the fourth time this season. The Suns lost for the fifth time in six games, with only a franchise-record 29-point comeback at Boston on Friday preventing a complete collapse "(Orlando) started coming back, and we started getting tentative and not wanting to take shots," said embattled Phoenix coach Frank Johnson. "Not quick shots, but shots where we moved the ball around, didn't take it and got a shot-clock violation." Johnson, under fire for his team's poor start, was ejected with 12.4 seconds remaining. "The free-throw discrepancy was unreal," said Johnson, noting the 32-11 edge in favor of Orlando. "I'll leave it at that." Shawn Marion scored a season-high 29 points, 20 in the first half. He also tied his season best with 17 rebounds for his fifth double-double. Penny Hardaway had season highs of 22 points and eight assists. He scored 14 points in the first quarter when the Suns broke out to a 38-16 lead. The Suns made 18 of their first 22 shots, but were 24-for-74 (32 percent) afterward. "Whenever you get a lead like that, you are supposed to close them out -- especially on the road," Marion said. The Magic allowed themselves a celebration, but practice beckoned on Tuesday. That's because Orlando still must find another eight wins to avoid the shame of being the NBA's worst team ever. The Philadelphia 76ers went 9-73 in 1972-73. "Hopefully, we can build on this, get some confidence and gets some wins now," McGrady said. "Hopefully, our season can start now." Notes Phoenix was playing without Amare Stoudemire, its best rebounder and shot-blocker. The second-year forward is expected to miss four weeks after spraining his left ankle Friday in Boston. He is averaging 15.1 points, 8.9 rebounds and 1.72 blocks. After placing Stoudemire on the injured list, the Suns activated center Cezary Trybanski. He didn't play. Including the preseason and last season's playoffs, Orlando had lost 29 of its last 31 games -- including 16 straight at home. Davis was hit with a technical for arguing midway through the second quarter. It was his first technical since taking over the team. So much for the streak of consecutive losses overall and consecutive home losses... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cuban Linx 0 Report post Posted December 9, 2003 Dammit, i really wanted to see some new losing streak records set. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Mindless_Aggression Report post Posted December 9, 2003 Good Lord. I don't care if they did win after 19 tries, stop celebrating you still have 2 whole wins all season. Me, Mike Fratello, and Bill Walton could manage 2 wins eventually. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Human Fly 0 Report post Posted December 9, 2003 I wanted to see two head coaches from the same team fired in the same season. Of course if they have another double digit losing streak we might see that. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest JohnnySwift Report post Posted December 9, 2003 Orlando still has a chance to beat the 72-73 (can anyone confirm this?) Sixers who went 9-73 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
phoenixrising 0 Report post Posted December 9, 2003 You're right Johnny, it was the 1972-73 Sixers. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Choken One Report post Posted December 9, 2003 I actually think Orlando will manage to avoid the Sixers mark. But T-Mac can be happy...He'll get the #1 overall draft next season... T'Mac: Oh why couldn't LeBron go to College for ONE FUCKING YEAR! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kkktookmybabyaway 0 Report post Posted December 9, 2003 Orlando still has a chance to beat the 72-73 (can anyone confirm this?) Sixers who went 9-73 They also have the chance to become a playoff team (only six games back of the last spot...) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cuban Linx 0 Report post Posted December 9, 2003 Looking at the East two or three teams will probably make the playoffs with losing records, i can't really see borderline teams like NY & Washington winning 41+ games. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
EVIL~! alkeiper 0 Report post Posted December 9, 2003 Well, as the season goes on, the East teams will play each other more often, inflating their records somewhat. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
starvenger 0 Report post Posted December 9, 2003 T-Mac: This must be like what my cousin went through 2 years ago. Now *I'M* the one they're gonna call overrated for the next 2 years... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Flyboy Report post Posted December 10, 2003 T-Mac: This must be like what my cousin went through 2 years ago. Now *I'M* the one they're gonna call overrated for the next 2 years... Why would they call McGrady overrated compared to Carter? I don't recall McGrady not having the heart to play for a couple of years. Hmm.. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CanadianChris 0 Report post Posted December 10, 2003 T-Mac: This must be like what my cousin went through 2 years ago. Now *I'M* the one they're gonna call overrated for the next 2 years... Why would they call McGrady overrated compared to Carter? I don't recall McGrady not having the heart to play for a couple of years. Hmm.. Yeah, he just wants to retire because he can't figure out how to break a zone defense. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Flyboy Report post Posted December 10, 2003 T-Mac: This must be like what my cousin went through 2 years ago. Now *I'M* the one they're gonna call overrated for the next 2 years... Why would they call McGrady overrated compared to Carter? I don't recall McGrady not having the heart to play for a couple of years. Hmm.. Yeah, he just wants to retire because he can't figure out how to break a zone defense. *X's CC off his X-Mas list* Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CanadianChris 0 Report post Posted December 10, 2003 T-Mac: This must be like what my cousin went through 2 years ago. Now *I'M* the one they're gonna call overrated for the next 2 years... Why would they call McGrady overrated compared to Carter? I don't recall McGrady not having the heart to play for a couple of years. Hmm.. Yeah, he just wants to retire because he can't figure out how to break a zone defense. *X's CC off his X-Mas list* Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kkktookmybabyaway 0 Report post Posted December 10, 2003 Speaking of which, Flyboy, what are you getting me?... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
notJames 0 Report post Posted December 10, 2003 "We had that music crunked..." Que como what? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Flyboy Report post Posted December 11, 2003 Speaking of which, Flyboy, what are you getting me?... If only you were apart of the SNKT X-Mas Gift Exchange... "We had that music crunked..." Que como what? Translation: "We had the music loud and we were ' ' to it because it was so hot." Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
