McGrady Scores 62 As Magic Tops Wizards

Tracy McGrady scored a team-record 62 points, becoming just the third NBA player in the past dozen years to score that many, in the Orlando Magic’s 108-99 victory over the Washington Wizards on Wednesday night.

McGrady, who had 55 points in the final three periods, broke Shaquille O’Neal’s team record of 53 points set against Minnesota in 1994.

The 62 points was the most in the NBA this season and the league’s first 60-point game since O’Neal had 61 for the Lakers against the Los Angeles Clippers on Mar. 6, 2000.

In the past 12 years, only David Robinson (71 vs. the Clippers on April 24, 1994) and Michael Jordan (63 vs. Orlando on Jan. 16, 1993) have scored as least 62 points in a game.

McGrady shot 20-for-37 from the field, including 5-for-14 from 3-point range, and made 17 of 26 free throws in 46 minutes. He also had 10 rebounds and five assists.

McGrady’s previous career-high was 52 points against Chicago on Feb. 21, 2003. He scored 51 earlier this season against Denver.

The Magic, who have won only 19 games this season, swept the four-game season series.

McGrady scored 17 of the Magic’s first 19 points in the second quarter, the last coming on a 3-pointer that put Orlando ahead 34-22 with 7:21 left before halftime. The Magic pushed that lead to as many as 15 before Gilbert Arenas started scoring.

Arenas had nine of Washington’s last 11 points in the quarter, including a steal and layup that cut the deficit to 46-40 with 45 seconds left in the half. Arenas finished with 22 in the half.

McGrady and Arenas resumed their shooting duel to start the second half, with McGrady scoring 16 points in the first seven minutes and Arenas countering with 11.

McGrady ended up with 24 points in the quarter, one off the team-record 25 he scored in the second quarter against Denver last season.

Arenas led the Wizards with 40 points, while Etan Thomas added 19 points and 11 rebounds. The Wizards lost their fourth straight game.

Notes:@ McGrady outscored the Wizards 24-23 in the first 18 minutes of the game. … Wizards G Juan Dixon, who scored 61 points in his previous three games, suffered a sprained ankle 10 seconds into the game and played only 12 minutes. He didn’t score. … The Magic shot only 25 percent (6-of-24) and the Wizards 27 percent (6-of-22) in the first period. Washington had only three assists in the first half when it scored 40 points. The Magic were outrebounded 51-47, the sixth straight game they were beaten on the boards.