Magic 111, Bobcats 102 (OT)
Gilbert Arenas had 25 points and the
Orlando Magic dominated overtime to earn a 111-102 victory that
eliminated the host Charlotte Bobcats from playoff contention
Wednesday night.
Brandon Bass added 19 points and eight
rebounds and Jameer Nelson had 18 points and nine assists for the
Magic (50-29). Orlando rallied from a 10-point fourth-quarter
deficit, and then outscored Charlotte 15-6 in the extra frame.
Gerald Henderson led the Bobcats with
32 points, but Charlotte (32-46) needed a victory to keep its
postseason hopes alive following Indiana's win over Washington on
Wednesday. D.J. Augustin almost won it in regulation for the Bobcats,
but missed a well-defended layup at the buzzer.
Charlotte led 81-71 early in the fourth
before the Magic went on an 8-0 run that included 3s from Hedo
Turkoglu (17 points) and Ryan Anderson.
Things got chippy with the Bobcats
ahead 81-79 and 8:30 to play. A charge call on Orlando's Quentin
Richardson led to a pair of double-technicals and an individual
technical on Richardson, who was ejected.
The Magic's momentum continued, though,
as they seized the lead on a Turkoglu runner, 86-84, with 6:31
remaining.
Dwight Howard (15 points, seven
rebounds, six blocks) collected a technical in the first half when he
tossed the ball after being called for a 10-second violation at the
foul line. Unless it is rescinded, the 18h technical this
season for Howard means he'll be suspended for Sunday's game against
Chicago.