Kings Unable To Mount Comeback Against Magic
This time, the Orlando Magic didn't fall apart down the stretch.
Four days after blowing an 11-point lead in the final 4 minutes of a loss to NBA-leading Golden State, the Magic almost let another big advantage slip away.
A little composure and a big 3-pointer from Channing Frye made sure it didn't happen.
Tobias Harris scored a season-high 27 points, Frye made a game-changing 3-pointer late in the fourth quarter and Orlando beat the Sacramento Kings 105-96 on Saturday night.
"Without a doubt, the great word is poise," Magic coach Jacque Vaughn said. "We didn't panic at all and we continued to trust each other. I'm pretty impressed with that. We are understanding that we need each other."
Victor Oladipo added 16 points, seven assists and five rebounds, Evan Fournier had 15 points and Kyle O'Quinn scored 13 to help the Magic to their second straight win following back-to-back losses to the Warriors and the Los Angeles Clippers.
Like most things with Orlando this season, it wasn't easy.
The Magic (9-14) led most of the game and were up by 16 early in the fourth quarter before holding off a late Sacramento push to end a four-game losing streak to the Kings.
Darren Collison scored 22 points while Jason Thompson added 18 for Sacramento. The Kings have dropped five of six.
"We just were not ready to play," Kings coach Michael Malone said. "When we defend like that, when we don't defend at all, we get beat. Defense wins in the NBA, and tonight we didn't defend anybody."
Ben Gordon made consecutive baskets to put Orlando up 82-66 early in the fourth quarter before Sacramento made its run.
Collison made a pair of 3-pointers and Derrick Williams added 14 points off the bench - all in the final 11 minutes - including a layup that tied the game at 90-all with 4 minutes remaining.
The Magic pulled away after that.
Elfrid Payton made a layup, Frye hit a 3-pointer as the shot clock buzzer sounded, and Oladipo sank an 18-foot jumper to put Orlando up 97-90.
Officials later reviewed and confirmed the shot by Frye.
"We realized it was getting close and we realized that we have to close the game out," Oladipo said. "We've been in that situation before and the biggest thing is to get stops and make shots. (Frye) hits a huge, crazy shot for us and it was big."
Both teams were playing on the second half of back-to-backs. Sacramento edged Indiana in overtime, while Orlando beat Utah.
The Magic looked much fresher coming out than the Kings.
Orlando led by 11 midway through the second quarter before Sacramento pulled within 52-49 at halftime. Harris had 14 points while O'Quinn added eight.
The Kings were fortunate to be that close.
With its starting five on the bench to begin the second quarter, Sacramento missed 13 of its first 14 shots. The Kings scored 22 in the quarter, 10 on free throws.
Orlando held Sacramento scoreless for more than four minutes in the third quarter to extend its lead to 77-66.
Magic: Center Nikola Vucevic continues to be sidelined by a lower back strain. The 7-footer has not played since Nov. 30. ... O'Quinn made his first four shots but went to the bench after picking up his third foul early in the second quarter.
Kings: DeMarcus Cousins missed his fifth straight game because of a viral infection. Cousins was hospitalized on Tuesday but has since returned home and could rejoin the team next week. ... Sacramento has lost 17 of its last 18 games when Cousins doesn't play.
O'Quinn made a big contribution in a short amount of time. He played just 18 minutes, finishing with four assists to go with his 13 points.
Magic: Host Washington on Wednesday.
Kings: Host Utah on Monday.
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