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Sonics can’t hold lead during loss to Magic

Orlando's Grant Hill drives to the basket past Seattle's Ibrahim Kutluay during the fourth quarter in Orlando, Fla., on Wednesday. (Associated Press / The Spokesman-Review)
Mike Branoma Associated Press
Orlando's Grant Hill drives to the basket past Seattle's Ibrahim Kutluay during the fourth quarter in Orlando, Fla., on Wednesday. (Associated Press / The Spokesman-Review)

ORLANDO, Fla. – The Orlando Magic met a big challenge.

After taking some early punishment, the Magic rallied to snap a four-game losing streak with a 105-87 victory over the Seattle SuperSonics on Wednesday night. Steve Francis scored 27 of his 35 points in the second half to lead Orlando.

Seattle had won three in a row, all on the road, and five of six. With the Magic slumping and the Sonics rising, it would’ve been understandable if Orlando folded after falling into a big hole in the first half.

“We played toe to toe with one of the best teams in the league,” Orlando coach Johnny Davis said. “Their record (23-7) is phenomenal. They play very good basketball, and for us to come out and meet them head on and not blink is a huge step for us.”

Orlando’s recent troubles stemmed from its slow starts, with double-digit halftime deficits in three games of the skid.

It first appeared the Magic were doomed to repeat that trend. Behind Ray Allen’s fast start, the Sonics led by 11 entering the second period. Allen scored 30 points – 16 in the first quarter, when he outscored Orlando by one.

Seattle soon extended its lead to 31-17, and yet another weak opening half prompted jeers from the Magic’s usually supportive crowd.

“We let the game come to us,” Francis said. “We didn’t overdo things when the fans were booing.”

Orlando finished strongly and trailed 49-46 at the break. In the Magic’s previous four games, their average halftime shortfall was more than 14 points.

“We built the lead in the first quarter, and then we got really loose with the ball and allowed them to get back into the game,” Seattle coach Nate McMillan said.

The Sonics had one turnover in the first quarter, but 12 after that.

The outburst continued after intermission, with Francis and Grant Hill leading the way. When Francis buried a jumper with 3:02 remaining in the third quarter, it capped off a 40-13 run over 12:05 stretch spanning halftime, and the Magic led by 15.

Seattle fought back, with Allen’s 3-pointer and free throws bringing Seattle to 81-78 early in the fourth quarter. Francis put away the game with 12 points in the next four minutes, including back-to-back 3-pointers to give Orlando a 100-85 lead with 4:28 remaining.

Francis, with 11 rebounds, had his eighth double-double. He also had six assists.

Hill scored 21 points on 9-for-11 shooting and had seven rebounds and six assists. Cuttino Mobley added 13 points, and Hedo Turkoglu had 12.

For Seattle, Rashard Lewis scored 17 of his 20 points in the second half. He also grabbed 11 rebounds for his fourth double-double.

But the rest of the team struggled. Allen and Lewis combined to shoot 17 for 35; their teammates were 11 of 55, with Vladimir Radmanovic missing 13 of 16 shots.

“This team has played well, has played hard,” McMillan said. “Tonight, we didn’t execute and we had no presence defensively.”