Magic 107, Bobcats 98
CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Glen Davis and Arron Affalo scored 20 points apiece as the Orlando Magic beat the Charlotte Bobcats 107-98 on Saturday night, extending the Bobcats' losing streak to 11 games.
The Magic led by as many as 11 but had to come from behind after trailing 93-92 with 4:09 remaining. They went on an 8-0 spurt at that point to pull out to a 100-93 lead, holding the Bobcats scoreless on four straight possessions. J.J. Redick hit a key 3-pointer, and Affalo and Jameer Nelson hit short jumpers during the spurt.
The Bobcats couldn't get closer than four from there.
The win was the Magic's third in the last four games and raised the record to 10-13. It also capped a perfect weekend after a 99-85 win over Golden State in Orlando on Friday night.
The Bobcats fell to 7-16 as they failed for the 11th straight time to surpass last season's entire victory total in a 7-59 season. They were 7-5 before the skid started.
Davis was 7-of-11 from the field and 6-of-8 from the line for his 20 points, on a night the Magic shot 54.4 percent from the field. Affalo was 8-of-14.
The Magic also got 16 points from Nelson, 14 from Redick and 13 points and 13 rebounds from Nikola Vucevic.
Kemba Walker led the Bobcats with a career-high 32 points. Gerald Henderson, back in the starting lineup for the first time since the second game of the season, scored 16. Ramon Sessions scored 14 and Byron Mullens 12.
The Magic hit 10 of its first 14 shots from the field and led by as many as 10 in the first quarter before settling for a 29-21 lead after one. It was 56-48 at halftime. The Magic then upped the lead to 11 early in the third quarter before the Bobcats went on a 14-4 run and eventually took a 67-66 lead on a 3-pointer by Jeffery Taylor. But the Magic regrouped and led 81-77 after three quarters.
NOTES: The Bobcats' losing streak started on Nov. 26 in a 114-69 loss at Oklahoma City. The franchise record stands at 23 straight, to close out last season. ... The Bobcats were coming off a 113-90 loss at Atlanta on Thursday, when they fell behind by 17 at halftime and played catch-up the rest of the way. Henderson came off the bench to lead the way with 17 points. ... This closes out a stretch of seven home games in nine games. ... The Bobcats will now hit the road for their first Western road trip of the season, starting at the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday. They'll also visit Phoenix, Golden State and Denver. ... Walker was the Bobcats' leading scorer coming into the game at 17.5 and ranked fifth in the NBA in steals at 2.0. ... The Magic continue to be without Al Harrington and Hedo Turkoglu. Harrington (right knee) has no timetable for his return as he rehabs. Turkoglu, who broke his left hand and had surgery Nov. 3, has had his cast removed and could be back within the next week. ... The Magic's Maurice Harkless played for Bobcats coach Mike Dunlap last season when the two were at St. John's. Dunlap stepped up to interim coach while Steve Lavin battled cancer. ... Affalo was the Magic's leading scorer coming into the game at 16.0, followed by Davis at 15.5. ... The Bobcats continue to be without Tyrus Thomas, who will be out at least another month with a strained left calf. ... The Magic will return home for a two-game homestand, starting with Minnesota on Monday night.
