Tracy McGrady tied an NBA record by hitting eight three-point shots in the first half of Orlando’s 99-98 loss to the host Cavaliers Monday. But the Magic guard played just five minutes after halftime because of a toe injury.
McGrady didn’t miss from beyond the arc until just before the halftime buzzer. However, he limped off the court with 6:32 remaining in the third quarter when he appeared to aggravate an injury that has bothered him lately.
He finished with 36 points on 11-for-19 shooting — 8-for-10 on 3s — in 25 minutes.
McGrady’s sharpshooting tied him with Tim Thomas (2001), Michael Redd (’02), Ray Allen (’02)–all of the Milwaukee Bucks–and Kobe Bryant (’03) of the Los Angeles Lakers for the most 3s in one half. Bryant has the league record for a full game (12).
Fickle fingers
The Philadelphia 76ers will be without injury-plagued Allen Iverson for another two games after an MRI scan Monday revealed a ligament sprain in his right index finger. Iverson already has missed 12 games this season due to injury. . . . Indiana Pacers forward Ron Artest missed practice Monday to fly to New York for an examination of his injured left thumb.
RESULTS, MONDAY’S SYNOPSIS
Orlando 98 at Cleveland 99
LeBron James had 16 points in 1st game back from sprained ankle, Carlos Boozer had 23 points, 16 rebounds. Cavs were 2-1 without James. Magic’s Rod Strickland shot airball at buzzer.
Portland 94 at Washington 83
Damon Stoudamire had 18 points, all on 3-pointers, and added 13 assists to lead Blazers, who won despite three technical fouls–on Dale Davis, Ruben Patterson and Rasheed Wallace.
Houston 81 at Miami 95
Eddie Jones scored 27 points and Stan Van Gundy’s Heat–last in the NBA in shooting–hit 51 percent to beat Jeff Van Gundy’s Rockets. It evened the brother rivalry at 1-1.
San Antonio 92 at Milwaukee 93
Refs waved off Tim Duncan’s apparent game-winning dunk as time expired after replays showed Duncan still had ball when light atop backboard was lit, signifying end of game.
L.A. Clippers 93 at Utah 98
Carlos Arroyo scored 20 points and Greg Ostertag had a season-high 18 to help Jazz snap 5-game losing streak. Andrei Kirilenko returned from sprained ankle to score 13 for Utah.
Minnesota 97 at Denver 95
Kevin Garnett had 31 points, 13 rebounds, and Latrell Sprewell tipped in a shot with 16 seconds left as T’Wolves pushed win streak to 5 games. Denver’s losing streak hit season-worst 3.
