Plunging Magic trip up Clippers

Sunday, January 13, 2013

— Two streaking teams going in opposite directions. The Los Angeles Clippers, co-owners of the NBA’s best record and on a roll at home. The Orlando Magic, playing opponents close only to fall short while piling up the franchise’s longest skid since the 2003-2004 season.

Something had to give, and this time, it was the Clippers.

J.J. Redick gave Orlando its first lead of the game on a three-pointer with 42 seconds left, Arron Afflalo tied his season high with 30 points, and the Magic won 104-101 Saturday to snap a 10-game skid.

“It wasn’t a letdown by us. Don’t try to take anything away from them,” Clippers guard Chris Paul said. “They made tough shot after tough shot. J.J. Reddick had a hand in his face half the time.”

The loss ended the Clippers’ franchise-record, 13-game home-winning streak.

Redick scored 21 points, and Nikola Vucevic had 18 points and 15 rebounds for the Magic, who also stopped a four-game road losing streak.

In other games, John Wall gave his teammates a lift with 14 points and four assists in his first game of the season, and the worst-in-NBA Washington Wizards have their first winning streak after a 93-83 victory over the visiting Atlanta Hawks. ... Luis Scola scored 22 points to help the Phoenix Suns beat the host Chicago Bulls 97-81, snapping a five-game losing streak. ... Jrue Holiday scored 30 points, Thaddeus Young had 18 points and 12 rebounds and the host Philadelphia 76ers snapped a five-game losing streak with a 107-100 victory over the Houston Rockets. ... Al Jefferson scored 20 points and the Utah Jazz beat the host Detroit Pistons 90-87. ... George Hill scored 19 points, D.J. Augustin added 18 and the host Indiana Pacers beat the Charlotte Bobcats 96-88. ... Shawn Marion scored a season-high 20 points, Dirk Nowitzki added 17 and the host Dallas Mavericks won consecutive games for the first time in a month with a 104-83 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies.

Sports, Pages 30 on 01/13/2013