Basketball

The Canadian Press - ONLINE EDITION

Magic end 10-game road skid, beat 76ers 98-84

By: Andy Jasner, The Associated Press

Posted: 02/26/2013 8:39 PM | Comments: 0 | Last Modified: 02/26/2013 9:26 PM

Orlando Magic's Arron Affialo (4) shoot against the Philadelphia 76ers in the first half of an NBA basketball game, Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2013, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/H. Rumph Jr)

PHILADELPHIA - Players were high-fiving and telling jokes in the giddy postgame locker room.

It was a rare and pleasant atmosphere for the Orlando Magic, especially on the road.

Arron Afflalo and Tobias Harris scored 16 points apiece and the Magic snapped a 10-game road losing streak with a 98-84 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers on Tuesday.

"It feels great," said forward Maurice Harkless. "Guys feel good about themselves and it shows what hard work can do. There are a lot of smiles around here for a change on the road."

Andrew Nicholson contributed 13 and Nikola Vucevic had 12 points and 19 rebounds for the Magic (16-41), who hadn't won on the road since Jan. 12 against the Los Angeles Clippers.

E'Twaun Moore had 12 points and a career-high 10 assists, while Harkless had 10 points for the Magic.

The Magic won for just the seventh time all season on the road while also snapping a five-game skid overall.

"I like that we were poised," said Orlando coach Jacque Vaughn. "We didn't crumble."

Damien Wilkins scored a season-high 14 points and Jeremy Pargo also had 14 for the 76ers. Dorell Wright had 11 and Evan Turner 10 for Philadelphia, which fell a season-worst 11 games under .500 at 22-33.

"I sure didn't see this effort coming," Sixers coach Doug Collins said. "It's kind of mind-numbing to me."

The Sixers lost their sixth straight game, their longest streak in nearly three years.

"I sure hope it can't get any worse than this," Collins said.

This latest defeat came against the Magic, who started two rookies and featured five rookies and three second-year players on their roster.

Orlando also entered this game having lost 28 of its last 31.

"I'm not going to sit here and drop my head," Turner said. "I don't think the leaders on this team will, either."

The Magic opened the third quarter on an 11-0 run and then began the fourth on a 17-3 spurt to go ahead 85-64.

"We kept the pressure on," Vucevic said. "We kept attacking and attacking. It was great to see that we were rewarded for our effort."

Harkless and Vucevic, who were acquired in the blockbuster four-team, 12-player Dwight Howard trade in the off-season, keyed the two runs for the Magic.

The Sixers received centre Andrew Bynum in that trade, but the two-time All-Star has yet to play because of bilateral knee bone bruises.

Orlando is also dealing with its share of injuries, but it was hardly evident on this night. It played without guard Jameer Nelson (left knee) and forwards Glen Davis (fractured left foot) and Hedo Turkoglu (NBA suspension).

The Magic shot 51 per cent in the first half, led by as many as seven points, and took a 47-42 advantage into the locker room.

From there, the Magic pushed the lead to 21 and wound up with a rare road win.

"We worked so hard for this and we hoped it would come," Harkless said. "It started with our energy and carried on through the team. We played with great intensity on defence and we made shots. It's just a great win and I'm happy for our whole team."

NOTES: Magic F Al Harrington made his debut this season and scored nine points. Harrington had been dealing with sore knees. . The Magic have unveiled 19 different starting lineups, tied for the most in the league. . Sixers F Thaddeus Young reached double figures in rebounding for the second straight game since returning from a strained left hamstring. . Sixers G Jrue Holiday had 10 assists. ... Vucevic registered his 32nd double-double.

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