Magic sink record 23 treys to pound Kings
Associated Press
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Even the guys at the end of the bench were making 3-pointers on a record-setting night for the Orlando Magic.
Seldom-used Jeremy Richardson's lone basket proved the most memorable last night, a 3-pointer with 2:20 left in the fourth quarter that gave the Magic an NBA-record 23 3s in a 139-107 victory over the Sacramento Kings.
The Magic made 23 of 37 attempts (62 percent) in breaking the old mark of 21, set by Toronto on March 13, 2005, against Philadelphia. Orlando rang up its highest point total since scoring 152 at Milwaukee on Feb. 20, 1995.
"I knew it was close to a record, but I really didn't know, I just took the shot," Richardson said in a jovial Orlando locker room. "It was a great record for the team, I was just happy to play and be a part of it."
The Magic proved unstoppable from the perimeter in part because Dwight Howard was so dominant inside. Despite spending the entire fourth quarter on the bench, Howard had 25 points and 15 rebounds in helping Orlando win its fifth straight game and improve to an NBA-best 15-5 on the road.
Orlando improved to 16-4 this season against the Western Conference. The Magic continue a four-game road trip Friday against the Lakers and meet Denver on Saturday.
BOBCATS 80, PISTONS 78: Raymond Felton scored 28, including a jumper with 0.7 seconds left to cap a game-ending 9-0 run, as visiting Charlotte beat Detroit.
Cavaliers 102, Grizzlies 87: LeBron James had 30 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists for his second triple-double of the season, powering visiting Cleveland past Memphis.
Heat 99, Wolves 96: Dwyane Wade had 31 points and Shawn Marion's free throws with 22 seconds left broke a 96-all tie, lifting visiting Miami over Minnesota.
Nuggets 99, Mavericks 97: Chauncey Billups scored 23 points, including two free throws with 2.2 seconds left, as host Denver overcame blowing a 17-point lead and 44 points from Dirk Nowitzki to beat Dallas.
Lakers 105, Rockets 100: Kobe Bryant sank a 3-pointer with 27 seconds left and scored 33 points, helping visiting Los Angeles beat Houston, still without Tracy McGrady (sore knee) and Ron Artest (sprained ankle).
Suns 107, Hawks 102: Shaquille O'Neal had 26 points and 10 rebounds, Steve Nash had 23 points, and host Phoenix won its third straight while handing Atlanta its four loss in a row.