Magic cruise 125-96
Anthony Johnson had a season-high 25 points in place of injured All-Star point guard Jameer Nelson, and the Orlando Magic routed the Los Angeles Clippers 125-96 Wednes-day night.
Johnson was cool and crisp in the Magic’s first game since Nelson tore the labrum in his right shoulder, doubling his regular-season career high with six three-pointers. He was 6-for-8 from the beyond the arc and the Magic made 16 three-pointers.
Al Thornton had 27 points, and Eric Gordon added 14 for the Clippers, losers of seven straight and 21 of their last 23 games. They could do little to stop Johnson, who nearly matched his regular-season career high of 27 points against Washington on Jan. 18, 2006, when he was with Indiana.
The Magic (37-11) swapped their starting lineup to cope with Nelson’s loss, starting Johnson in place of Nelson and having shooting guard Courtney Lee come off the bench as his backup. Mickael Pietrus started in place of Lee.
The Clippers provided an easy test run.
Clanking shots and scurrying on defense, Los Angeles was outmatched and outplayed. The Clippers (10-38), tied with Washington for the NBA’s worst record, clogged the inside trying to shut down Dwight Howard and take advantage of the Magic’s point guard shortage.
They just didn’t account for Johnson-no one did.
Pistons 93, Heat 90: Rodney Stuckey hit two jumpers in the final 90 seconds to help Detroit edge Miami.
Stuckey and Rasheed Wallace had 18 points each for Detroit, while Antonio McDyess added a season-high 17 rebounds.
Dwyane Wade led Miami with 29 points and 13 assists.