Orlando Magic Team Report - February 12

(Basketball News) - The Orlando Magic lost to the Miami Heat, 111-98, on Wednesday at TD WaterHouse Centre.

Tracy McGrady led the Magic with 24 points. Juwan Howard chipped in 22 for Orlando, which has dropped seven straight contests. Drew Gooden added 16 points in defeat.

The Heat owned a 77-56 lead midway through the third quarter on a free throw by Eddie Jones. The Magic answered with a 13-6 spurt to climb back in the contest.

Howard’s jumper concluded the run, making it an 83-69 game with under two minutes left. Heading into the final frame the Heat led 87-72.

Orlando’s hot shooting continued and the Magic started the fourth quarter on a 12-5 burst to get to within 92-84. McGrady’s jumper with under nine minutes left in the contest cut the deficit to eight points.

Moments later Dwyane Wade’s jumper ended a 6-2 run that staked the Heat to a 98-86 cushion. The Magic made one last push and made it a 103-96 contest on a McGrady free throw with 2:01 to play. That was as close as they would get.

Rafer Alston ended the threat and sealed the game with a trey, making it 106-96, with 1:04 remaining.

The Magic are off until after the All-Star break. Orlando visits the Milwaukee Bucks on Tuesday.