McGrady Scores 62 in Win Over Wizards

On a night when Kobe Bryant made a surprise return and Tim Duncan also came back from an injury, Tracy McGrady put on an offensive display that rendered them insignificant by comparison. McGrady scored 62 points, becoming just the third NBA player in the past 12 years to reach that number, in the Orlando Magic’s 106-92 victory over the Washington Wizards on Wednesday night.

McGrady was 20-of-37 from the field despite hitting only one of his last 11 shots. He also made 17 of 26 free throws.

“First, my teammates were telling me to get 60, then they told me to get 70 and that’s what I was going for,” McGrady said. “If I had made my free throws, I would have had it.”

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 reached 62.

Elsewhere, Bryant made an earlier-than-expected return from a shoulder injury and helped the Los Angeles Lakers defeat Boston 117-109, and Duncan played sparingly in San Antonio’s 108-90 rout of the Los Angeles Clippers.

Also, Cleveland defeated Toronto 106-92, Detroit topped Chicago 98-65, Utah downed Golden State 91-77, New Jersey edged Denver 98-97, Portland defeated Minnesota 92-79, New Orleans beat Miami 95-84 and Milwaukee topped Atlanta 94-80.

McGrady broke the team record of 53 points set by Shaquille O’Neal in 1994.

In the second quarter, McGrady made eight of nine shots from the field and scored 21 points. He added another 24 points in the third quarter.

The Magic held a double-digit lead for most of the second half, and easily withstood a 40-point performance from Wizards point guard Gilbert Arenas.

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

“When it’s all said and done, this will just be one of 82 games in the book,” McGrady said. “Just close the book and that’s it. There’s nothing to be said except get ready for next season.”

Lakers 117, Celtics 109

At Boston, Bryant showed up less than 90 minutes before tipoff and said he was ready. He had 18 points with 10 assists, and Shaquille O’Neal had 28 points and 17 rebounds to help snap the Celtics’ six-game winning streak.

Initially expected to be out a month with a sprained shoulder, Bryant felt strong enough to return after missing just two games.

“They trust my decision. I knew I was ready to play,” Bryant said. “Once I knew I could move my shoulder and elevate it, I knew I’d be out there playing.”

Gary Payton added 20 points for the Lakers, who will get another boost Friday when Karl Malone is expected to return after missing half the season with a sprained medial collateral ligament in his right knee.

Spurs 108, Clippers 90

At San Antonio, Duncan’s first points came on a 21-foot bank shot early in the second quarter, making the score 44-18.

Duncan had little to do with the outcome, scoring nine points on 4-for-10 shooting and grabbing a season-low two rebounds in 15 minutes.

“We’re going to look at it and then slowly scale up the minutes as I feel better and better,” said Duncan, who had been sidelined by a leg injury.

Cavaliers 106, Raptors 92

At Toronto, Zydrunas Ilgauskas scored 30 points as Cleveland won its fifth in a row – the Cavs’ longest winning streak in four years.

LeBron James added 14 points as Cleveland tied New York for sixth place in the East and moved two games ahead of Toronto. The Cavaliers have won 14 of their past 18 games against Eastern opponents.

Pistons 98, Bulls 65

At Auburn Hills, Mich., Chauncey Billups scored 19 points, Rasheed Wallace had 18 and Detroit extended its NBA record by holding an opponent under 70 points for the fourth straight game.

Jazz 91, Warriors 77

At Salt Lake City, Andrei Kirilenko had 20 points and 15 rebounds as the Jazz beat the Warriors for the 19th straight time at home.

Nets 98, Nuggets 97

At East Rutherford, N.J., Kenyon Martin scored 28 points and Richard Jefferson had 26 for the Nets, who had Jason Kidd back in the lineup after a four-game absence.

Trail Blazers 92, Timberwolves 79

At Portland, Damon Stoudamire had 28 points as the Trail Blazers (31-33) moved one game closer to eighth-place Denver (34-32) and ninth-place Utah (34-33) for the West’s final playoff spot.

Hornets 95, Heat 84

At New Orleans, Baron Davis had 33 points and 10 rebounds, and the Hornets scored 42 points at the foul line.

Bucks 94, Hawks 80

At Milwaukee, Keith Van Horn and Michael Redd each had 23 points as the Bucks snapped a three-game losing streak.