Orlando Magic

Bad teams find ways to lose; good teams find ways to win. And after the 76ers put up some wretched numbers in a 74-69 win over the Orlando Magic in front of 16,299 at Wells Fargo Center, it is starting to become clear that the Sixers are, indeed, good. Their point total was the lowest they've posted all season, yet they won. They made just 30 of 80 shots (37.5 percent), yet they have 15 wins in 21 games. And they were outscored, 27-16, in the fourth quarter - giving up 18 points in the final three minutes - yet they were able to win their third game in a row after losing two of three before that.

ORLANDO SEEMS to be Rumor Central these days with names like Shaquille O'Neal and Jerry Sloan being tossed out there. O'Neal will meet with the Magic next week to discuss the general manager opening, multiple sources told ESPN. In his first season as an analyst for TNT, O'Neal spent the first four seasons of his career as the Magic's center starting with the 1992-93 season. He led the league in scoring with 29.3 points per game with Orlando in 1994-95. Sloan, meanwhile, has expressed interest in the open Charlotte Bobcats and Magic coaching positions.

Who: Sixers at Orlando Magic, season opener for both When: 7 o'clock Where: Amway Arena, Orlando TV: Comcast SportsNet Radio: WIP (610-AM)

Orlando Magic guard Nick Anderson called a press conference last night to refute allegations by an Orlando woman that he raped her last February. "I say to you and to all the fans of the Orlando Magic that this allegation is false and untrue," Anderson said, tears streaming from his eyes and his voice choking. A woman, who wasn't identified, filed a complaint against Anderson with the Orlando Police Department on Oct. 8. The woman said Anderson raped her Feb. 26, Orlando Police spokesman Sgt. Bill Molloy said.

Orlando Magic forward Dennis Scott said Saturday that he's frustrated over what he perceives as low pay and might sit out the final year of his contract, according to a broadcast report. Scott has one year left on his contract with the Magic, which will pay him about $3 million. Scott told WCPX-TV in Orlando on Saturday that he's tired of being paid less than players he thinks don't measure up to him. Scott declined to talk about an incident Friday at Sterling, Va., during what was to have been camp for youngsters.

Jerome Kersey scored 22 points last night to help propel the Portland Trail Blazers to a 121-95 victory over the Orlando Magic. Kersey and Clyde Drexler combined for 17 points in a third period that saw the Blazers outscore the Magic by 34-19 to open an 89-70 lead in front of a crowd of 14,088 - the first non-sellout in eight home games for Orlando, which joined the NBA this season. The Magic trailed by only 65-58 with 8 minutes, 24 seconds left in the third quarter, but Kevin Duckworth, Terry Porter and Kersey then sparked a 15-6 burst by the Blazers.

The only assist Anfernee Hardaway gave the Orlando Magic was 36 points. The All-Star point guard upstaged Michael Jordan last night, abandoning his usual role of keeping his teammates involved in the offense. Hardaway hit 12 of 18 shots in a 94-88 victory over the visiting Chicago Bulls. Hardaway scored 32 or more for the third time in four games, but had no assists. "You figured the Bulls would be coming in here, looking for a little redemption from last year's playoffs, and get a victory since we were without (the injured Shaquille O'Neal)

Dwyane Wade scored 14 of his 31 points in the fourth quarter, Chris Bosh added 23 points, and the Miami Heat beat the Orlando Magic, 91-81, on Sunday night in Miami to extend their home winning streak to 13 games. LeBron James finished with 14 points, 12 rebounds, seven assists, and five steals for the Heat. Dwight Howard finished with 18 points and 11 rebounds for the Magic, who split four games with Miami this season, both teams going 2-0 at home. The win kept Miami (33-11)

ORLANDO SEEMS to be Rumor Central these days with names like Shaquille O'Neal and Jerry Sloan being tossed out there. O'Neal will meet with the Magic next week to discuss the general manager opening, multiple sources told ESPN. In his first season as an analyst for TNT, O'Neal spent the first four seasons of his career as the Magic's center starting with the 1992-93 season. He led the league in scoring with 29.3 points per game with Orlando in 1994-95. Sloan, meanwhile, has expressed interest in the open Charlotte Bobcats and Magic coaching positions.

INDIANAPOLIS - Dwyane Wade didn't let injuries or suspensions ruin his closeout party. The Heat star poured in 41 points Thursday night as Miami defeated the Indiana Pacers, 105-93, to wrap up their best-of-seven Eastern Conference semifinal series, four games to two. Miami, the defending conference champion, will play the winner of Saturday's 76ers-Celtics Game 7 in the conference finals, beginning next week with Game 1 in Miami....

Danny Granger scored 25 points to help the Indiana Pacers defeat the Orlando Magic, 105-87, in Indianapolis on Tuesday night, clinching their first-round Eastern Conference series four games to one. Darren Collison scored 15 of his 19 points in the fourth quarter and George Hill added 15 points for the Pacers, who trailed by two at the end of the third quarter but outscored the Magic, 36-16, in the final 12 minutes. It was Indiana's first series win since 2005 and its first clincher on its home court since the first round of the 2000 playoffs.

  LeBron James and Chris Bosh sat out the game, resting for the postseason. Dwyane Wade played and got hurt. Wade lasted less than three minutes before dislocating his left index finger, and without their three stars Saturday night, the Miami Heat lost at home, 86-84, to the woeful Washington Wizards. Wade appeared to get his finger caught in another player's jersey and immediately went to the locker room grimacing in pain. He never returned, even though fans chanted "We want Dwyane!"

ORLANDO - One of the main reasons for the 76ers' early-season success was the matchup problems they posed for other teams. But times have been rough of late, and winning games hasn't been the easy task it used to be. So, to have a better shot at winning, coach Doug Collins now is matching his team against the opponent. At least he was for Monday's game against the Orlando Magic. Shorthanded because of injuries to starting center Dwight Howard (back) and his backup, Glen Davis (sprained knee)

ORLANDO - One of the main reasons for the 76ers' early success was the matchup problem they posed to opponents. But times have been rough of late, and winning games hasn't been the easy task it used to be. So to have a better shot at winning, coach Doug Collins is now matching his team against the opponent. At least he did for Monday's game against the Orlando Magic. Shorthanded because of injuries to starting center Dwight Howard (back) and his backup, Glen Davis (sprained knee)

If the 76ers had their druthers, they certainly would prefer playing the remaining six of their final seven regular-season games at home. But, as they prepared Sunday for a Monday game against the Orlando Magic, the reality for the Sixers is that six of their final regular-season games are on the road. The Sixers (31-28) have backed themselves into a corner mostly because of their shoddy play at home. After dropping a 95-89 decision to the Nets at the Wells Fargo Center on Friday, the Sixers, who began the season by winning 12 of their first 14 home games, have lost 11 of their last 18 games at home.

  Jannero Pargo hit five three-pointers and scored 17 points, and Joe Johnson, Josh Smith, and Marvin Williams each had 16 as the visiting Atlanta Hawks beat the Orlando Magic, 109-81, on Friday. The Hawks earned their third straight win over the Magic this season and have now won six consecutive regular-season meetings over their division mates. Orlando lost its second straight and fell to 1-4 without center Dwight Howard, who sat for the fifth time in seven games with back spasms.

CARMELO ANTHONY scored 19 points, Tyson Chandler had 12 points and 12 rebounds and the visiting New York Knicks defeated the Orlando Magic, 96-80, on Thursday night. J.R. Smith and Toney Douglas each added 15 points for the Knicks, who won for just the third time in their last 13 visits to Orlando. New York also hit 13 three-pointers. Jason Richardson scored 16 points and Glen Davis 15 to lead Orlando. The Magic's loss came on the heels of coach Stan Van Gundy's comments earlier in the day that included him saying he'd heard from top team officials that Dwight Howard has asked that he be fired.

Carmelo Anthony scored 19 points, Tyson Chandler collected 12 points and 12 rebounds, and the visiting New York Knicks defeated the Orlando Magic, 96-80, on Thursday night. J.R. Smith and Toney Douglas each added 15 points for the Knicks, who won for just the third time in their last 13 visits to Orlando. New York also hit 13 three-point shots. Jason Richardson scored 16 points and Glen Davis 15 to lead Orlando. The Magic's loss came on the heels of coach Stan Van Gundy's comments Thursday morning that included his saying he had heard from top team officials that Dwight Howard has asked that he be fired.