Magic 100, Timberwolves 92
Tobias Harris and Maurice Harkless scored 17 points apiece as Orlando came through in the fourth quarter to knock off visiting Minnesota.
Arron Afflalo scored 18 points and Kyle O’Quinn collected 14 points, 13 rebounds and four blocks for the Magic, who snapped a three-game slide. Victor Oladipo contributed 16 points and six assists while Jameer Nelson handed out 12 assists for Orlando.
Ricky Rubio recorded 18 points and 10 assists for the Timberwolves, who played without Kevin Love (back), Kevin Martin (foot), Nikola Pekovic (ankle) and Shabazz Muhammad (knee) and lost Chase Budinger to a sprained right ankle just one minute into the game. Corey Brewer scored 15 points and Dante Cunningham, Gorgui Dieng and Robbie Hummel each added 12 points for Minnesota.
The Timberwolves took a 77-72 lead into the fourth quarter but Harris scored the final four points of an 8-2 run opening the final period to put the Magic on top. Minnesota went back in front 89-88 on Ricky Rubio’s layup with 4:26 to play but Oladipo responded with a 3-pointer and capped a 10-1 spurt with a layup to make it an eight-point gap with 2:02 left.
Rubio’s layup with 4:45 left in the third quarter opened up a 72-59 lead before Orlando responded with a 13-3 run. Harris knocked down a 3-pointer during the spurt before the Magic settled for a five-point deficit after the third.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Budinger initially headed for the locker room after twisting his ankle, but returned to the court to shoot his free throws before exiting for good. … Cunningham rejoined the team on Saturday after being arrested and charged with felony domestic assault on Thursday. He started in place of Love. … Orlando knocked down 9-of-17 from 3-point range while the Timberwolves struggled to 1-of-15 from beyond the arc.