By the Associated Press
ORLANDO, Fla. — Evan Fournier scored 20 points and Orlando survived a collapse from the free throw line in the final minute in the Magic’s 98-97 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers on Friday night.
Orlando Magic guard Evan Fournier (10) dribbles by center Nikola Vucevic (9) and Philadelphia 76ers guard Josh Richardson during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Orlando, Fla., Friday, Dec. 27, 2019. (AP Photo / Willie J. Allen Jr.)
Aaron Gordon had 19 points and 11 rebounds, and Nikola Vucevic had 16 points and 12 rebounds for Orlando. Joel Embiid and Tobias Harris each had 24 points and 11 rebounds for the 76ers, who had their three-game winning streak snapped. Embiid missed a desperation 30-footer at the buzzer.
Orlando led 93-83 after Gordon’s dunk with 1:49 left in the game, but it was far from over. The Magic were 5 of 11 from the free throw line in the final 1:30. That included four misses in the final 30 seconds.
Philadelphia’s last four field goals were 3-pointers that gave the visitor’s a chance at winning. Embiid hit the last of them with 5.1 seconds to play that cut the Sixers’ deficit to 98-97.
Ben Simmons then stole the inbounds pass at the Magic end of the court and gave it to Embiid, who launched his desperation shot as the buzzer sounded.
HEAT 113, PACERS 112
MIAMI — Goran Dragic scored in the lane with 6.8 seconds remaining to cap a wild finish and Miami beat Indiana to improve to an NBA-best 14-1 at home.
Miami Heat guard Goran Dragic (7) drives to the basket against Indiana Pacers guard Aaron Holiday (3) during the second half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Dec. 27, 2019, in Miami. (AP Photo / Wilfredo Lee)
Dragic’s shot was the third by Miami on the go-ahead possession, after Jimmy Butler and Kendrick Nunn both missed but the Heat were able to grab offensive rebounds. Aaron Holiday had a chance to win it for Indiana, but his 10-footer with about a second left bounced away.
Butler scored 20 points for Miami. Bam Adebayo had 18 points and 15 rebounds, including the offensive rebound that set up Dragic’s shot. Dragic had 14 points.
Aaron Holiday scored 17 points for Indiana.
BUCKS 112, HAWKS 86
ATLANTA — Khris Middleton scored 23 points, Ersan Ilyasova had season highs of 18 points and 17 rebounds and NBA-leading Milwaukee overcame Giannis Antetokunmpo’s absence to beat Atlanta.
Milwaukee Bucks forward Khris Middleton, left, keeps the ball from Atlanta Hawks guard DeAndre’ Bembry, right, during the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Dec. 27, 2019, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Amis)
Antetokunmpo, the league MVP last season and second-leading scorer this season, sat out because of back soreness. He watched from the bench as his teammates helped Milwaukee improve to 28-5.
The Hawks lost their ninth straight to drop to a league-worst 6-26. They lost guard Trae Young, the NBA’s fourth-leading scorer, to a right ankle sprain late in the second quarter.
CELTICS 129, CAVALIERS 117
BOSTON— Jaylen Brown matched his career high with 34 points and Boston beat Cleveland for its fifth straight victory.
Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown (7) drives against Cleveland Cavaliers center Tristan Thompson during the second half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Dec. 27, 2019, in Boston. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
Jayson Tatum had 24 of his 30 points in the first half, Enes Kanter added 14 points, and Kemba Walker had 13 to help Boston improve to 13-1 at home.
Kevin Love matched his season high with 30 points and had seven rebounds for Cleveland.
THUNDER 104, HORNETS 102, OT
CHARLOTTE, N.C.— Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 27 points, Dennis Schroder added 24 and Oklahoma City beat Charlotte in overtime for its fifth victory in six games.
Oklahoma City Thunder’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) keeps Charlotte Hornets’ P.J. Washington (25) away as he looks to score during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Charlotte, N.C., Friday, Dec. 27, 2019. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
Chris Paul had 10 of his 16 points for the Thunder in the fourth quarter and overtime.
Terry Rozier scored 26 points for Charlotte.
Source: Manila Bulletin
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