NBA ROUNDUP : Magic Gets a Big One at Utah

Orlando, which has been less than magical on the road lately, made up for it some Friday night, defeating the Utah Jazz, 101-98, at Salt Lake City to avenge one of only two home losses this season while retaining the league’s best record.

After losing nine of its last 12 road games, Orlando played with playoff intensity.

“This was really a character win for this basketball team,” Coach Brian Hill said.

Dennis Scott’s two free throws with 23.4 seconds left broke a 98-98 tie. When the Jazz regained the ball, Karl Malone was open near the foul line but passed to Adam Keefe under the basket, and Keefe lost the ball with about five seconds remaining.

“If I had it to do over again, I would have shot it,” said Malone, who had 26 points and 10 rebounds. “That’s what it came down to. I should have shot it.”

Nick Anderson made one of two free throws with 4.4 seconds left, and a three-point basket by Jeff Hornacek rimmed out as time expired.

Shaquille O’Neal had 28 points and 11 rebounds to lead Orlando. Anfernee Hardaway had 21 points.

San Antonio 118, Milwaukee 102--David Robinson had 26 points and 10 rebounds at San Antonio to lead the Spurs to their 10th consecutive victory and a half-game lead over Utah for the best record in the Western Conference.

New York 101, Dallas 90--Derek Harper and John Starks made two three-point baskets apiece as the Knicks took control in the third quarter at New York on the way to ending the Mavericks’ six-game winning streak. Patrick Ewing led the Knicks with 18 points.

Denver 107, Indiana 92--Dikembe Mutombo scored 13 of his 22 points in the first quarter, sending the Nuggets ahead to stay at Indianapolis in ending the Pacers’ five-game winning streak and moving one game ahead of Sacramento for the eighth spot in the Western Conference.

Cleveland 98, Washington 88--Chris Mills scored 24 points as the Cavaliers overcame a 19-point first-half deficit at Cleveland.

Phoenix 106, Minnesota 96--Charles Barkley scored 13 of his 27 points in the fourth quarter, helping the Suns overcome a 16-point first-quarter deficit at Phoenix.

Seattle 120, Sacramento 95--Gary Payton scored 27 points and Detlef Schrempf 26 as the SuperSonics won their sixth in a row with a rout at Tacoma, Wash.

Boston 100, Miami 99--Dino Radja took a pass from Sherman Douglas and dunked with 1.7 seconds remaining as the Celtics beat the Heat at Boston.

Douglas scored 29 points and Radja 24 as Boston beat Miami for the fourth time in five games this season and moved ahead of the Heat in the battle for the eighth playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.

Philadelphia 86, Portland 85--Clarence Weatherspoon made a 17-foot jump shot with 3.3 seconds left to give the 76ers a victory at Philadelphia.

Dana Barros had 26 points and Weatherspoon 22 for Philadelphia.