The host Orlando Magic put up a good fight but still lost its team-record 18th straight game, allowing San Antonio’s Tim Duncan to score a season-high 47 points in the Spurs’ 105-94 win Friday night.
The Magic came back from an 18-point deficit in the first half and surged into a five-point advantage entering the final quarter after Orlando’s Tracy McGrady scored 16 of his 28 points in the third quarter.
But Orlando missed 16-of-21 shots down the stretch to surpass the previous longest losing streak in franchise history, set in 1991-92. McGrady missed his final nine shots as the Spurs closed the game with an 18-7 run.
Rasho Nestorovic added 12 points for the Spurs, who snapped a four-game losing skid. Ron Mercer scored seven of his 11 points in the opening seconds of the fourth quarter to kick off the Spurs’ comeback.
Duncan shot 19-for-33 from the field and 9-for-13 from the line in falling six points shy of his career high. He also had 12 rebounds for his 15th double-double in 16 games.
Kukoc on injured list
The Milwaukee Bucks placed forward Toni Kukoc on the injured list with back spasms and signed Dan Langhi to replace him.
Kukoc is averaging 8.9 points per game. He left the Dec. 1 game against the Bulls with back spasms and missed the game at Atlanta the next day.
The 6-foot-9-inch, 210-pound Langhi appeared in 60 games for the Phoenix Suns last season, averaging 3.1 points per game.
Artest out again
Indiana forward Ron Artest sat out Friday night’s game at Seattle because of back spasms, the second time he has been sidelined on the team’s five-game trip.
Artest, averaging 18.3 points, also missed Monday’s game in Phoenix. He returned to score a team-high 21 points with six rebounds and five assists in Indiana’s 97-96 overtime loss Wednesday at Portland.
RESULTS, FRIDAY’S SYNOPSIS
Atlanta 87 at Toronto 92
Jalen Rose had 22 points, 10 assists and eight rebounds, and Vince Carter also scored 22 in Raptors’ 3rd straight victory. Donyell Marshall added 21 points.
Phoenix 110 at Boston 106
Stephon Marbury hit consecutive 3-pointers in the final three minutes to cap a 29-point comeback, the largest in Suns history. Marbury scored 21 of his 34 points in the second half.
Philadelphia 93 at Miami 90
Allen Iverson scored 35 points and 76ers withstood a frantic finish to defeat the Heat. Miami fell behind by 19 points with three minutes left in the third period before rallying.
Milwaukee 86 at New Jersey 93
Kenyon Martin had 20 points and matched career high with 21 rebounds for the Nets. Jason Kidd added 16 points, 11 assists and 10 rebounds for his 54th career triple-double.
Washington 77 at Memphis 92
Pau Gasol had 17 points and 12 rebounds, and Bonzi Wells had 12 points and 6 assists for Grizzlies. Wells, acquired Wednesday from Portland, shot 6-for-13.
San Antonio 105 at Orlando 94
Spurs have won five straight games against Magic and 10 of last 12. Spurs are 3-1 on the road vs. Eastern Conference teams but have lost all 6 road games against squads from West.
Houston 83 at New Orleans 74
Maurice Taylor scored 17 points and Cuttino Mobley added 16. Yao Ming had 15 points and 10 rebounds, and Kelvin Cato added 10 rebounds, nine points and four blocked shots.
L.A. Clippers 67 at Utah 86
Matt Harpring scored 20 points and Jazz held Clippers to their lowest point total of the season. Clippers shot 35 percent from the floor. Quentin Richardson was just 3-for-19.
Golden State 91 at Denver 98
Carmelo Anthony scored 28 points and Voshon Lenard added 18 to lead Nuggets to first 6-game winning streak in almost 13 years. Nuggets (13-6) are off to best start since 1989-90.
New York at Portland, late
The Trail Blazers are looking for their season high-tying third straight win. The Knicks have lost two straight since winning four of their previous five games.
Indiana at Seattle, late
Pacers, who own Eastern Conference record of 15-4, look to avoid their first losing streak of the season against Sonics, which they have beaten in 2 of the last 3 meetings in Seattle.
Minnesota at Sacramento, late
Kings look for 11th straight win at home and 9th in a row overall. They look to keep their streak going against a Minnesota team they have beaten 6 straight times at Arco Arena.
