Tracy McGrady got the better of LeBron James this time. He’s not making any promises about the future.
“He’s unbelievable,” McGrady said Thursday.
“He’s not 18. Can’t possibly be. It’s scary how good he can be. . . . He has that swagger.”
So does McGrady, whose 41-point performance overshadowed James’ 34 points in the Orlando Magic’s 113-101 overtime victory over visiting Cleveland.
The three-time All-Star conceded he drew extra motivation from the first meeting between two of the NBA’s brightest young stars.
“Absolutely,” McGrady said. “It’s Christmas. I would like to be home with my family. But it’s my job to come out and perform. And when you have a guy like LeBron coming into town with all the hype around him, everybody’s going to be tuned in and want to see the outcome. You have no choice but to get yourself ready to play.”
Juwan Howard scored Orlando’s first eight points in the extra period, and then McGrady made a pair of three-pointers to finish with his second 40-plus game of the season. He also had eight rebounds and 11 assists.
Malone a no-show
The Lakers lost to Houston without Karl Malone, who missed his second game since spraining his right knee and disappointed his coach by not attending the game.
“We got a call [in the] morning saying he wasn’t going to come, even though I asked him to come,” Phil Jackson said. “It’s an unexcused absence we’ll talk about [Friday].”
Malone is expected to sit out Sunday’s game against Boston before being re-evaluated.
Doctors reassure McDyess
Knicks forward Antonio McDyess was limited to nine minutes of playing time Tuesday night against Minnesota, none in the second half, because of soreness and stiffness in his surgically repaired left knee. Doctors who examined McDyess assured him that the swelling and resulting pain in his knee were normal for a player who has, within the last month, returned to game action after three major operations.
RESULTS, THURSDAY’S SYNOPSIS
Cleveland 101 at Orlando 113
Juwan Howard scored 19 for the Magic, which has won 7-of-10 since ending 19-game losing streak. Carlos Boozer had 18 points, 18 rebounds for Cavs, whose 3-game win streak ended.
Dallas 111 at Sacramento 103
Dirk Nowitzki had 31 points and 14 rebounds and Antoine Walker (23 pts., 12 reb., 8 assists) hit key 3-pointer with 1:04 left as Mavs snapped 4-game losing streak. Kings lost 2nd at home.
Houston 99 at L.A. Lakers 87
Steve Francis had 22 points, 9 rebounds, 7 assists as Rockets handed Lakers 2nd home loss. Yao Ming had 18 points, 8 rebounds. Kobe Bryant had 23. L.A. lost 2nd straight, 4th in last 6.
