Magic Trick Nets

In order to give his team an added measure of motivation in the playoff chase, Doc Rivers reminded the Orlando Magic that they owed the New Jersey Nets a little payback.

After losing to the Nets in the first three meetings between the teams this season, Rivers' appeal worked as five players reached double figures and the Magic won their sixth consecutive game, 103-97.

"It was a great win for the simple fact we beat the Nets," Rivers said. "I told the guys before the game, this had nothing to do with the playoffs. We had to get this team off our back somehow."

The victory, combined with Detroit's loss to Phoenix, moved the Magic within percentage points of the Pistons for the seventh-place playoff berth in the Eastern Conference. The Magic have enjoyed being at home, winning their last 16 of 18 in Orlando. New Jersey, in 10th place in the conference, dropped 5 1-2 games behind Orlando.

Ron Mercer scored a game-high 22 points and Bo Outlaw, who had a triple-double last game, finished with 16 points, nine rebounds and seven assists. John Amaechi scored 17, Ben Wallace had 11 points and 14 rebounds and Darrell Armstrong had 11 points and nine assists. Orlando shot 50.6 percent for the game.

"It's definitely home-court advantage," Outlaw said. "We got the fans here, it's our gym and we know it. It's been good for us so far."

New Jersey was led by Kendall Gill with 21 points. Starters Keith Van Horn, who had 20 points, and Stephon Marbury, who had seven, shot a combined 10-of-36.

New Jersey was affected by fatigue but moreso by an injury to Marbury, who has tendinitis in his knee. Scott Burrell also left the game with 34.4 seconds remaining in the third quarter when he injured his ankle.

"We made a run but Steph's really hurting and it reflected in his game," coach Don Casey said. "He really gutted it out and I know he was really hurting. We're going to have to evaluate him. I don't want him to do anything to hurt himself."

"I think (fatigue hurt) a little bit but it was a factor for them when they came up and played us. That's the way the league is."

The Magic used an 8-0 run late in the fourth quarter to lead, 96-84. New Jersey got back in the game when Kerry Kittles hit a 3-pointer with 28.2 seconds remaining to make it 100-94. After Armstrong hit a free throw, Van Horn responded with two to make it 101-96, but there was little time remaining for much more of a comeback.

New Jersey shot 43.7 percent and was only 4-for-17 from 3-point range.

Orlando built its lead to 69-59 at the 6:16 mark of the third quarter. But New Jersey cut it to 77-73 at the end of the quarter on a jumper byJohnny Newman.

Mercer hit seven of 11 field goals to lead all scorers with 14 points as Orlando led 60-50 at the half. Outlaw's layup with 3:46 remaining tied the game at 44 and from there the Magic finished the half on a 16-6 run. Gill and Van Horn had 10 points each for New Jersey, which only made two of 10 3-point attempts in the half.

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