MAGIC 113, CAVS 101 (OT): Tracy McGrady scores 41, seven more than LeBron James, including two key 3-pointers.
By Associated Press
Published December 26, 2003
ORLANDO - Tracy McGrady got the best of LeBron James this time. He's not making any promises about the future.
"He's unbelievable," McGrady said Thursday.
"He's not 18. Can't possibly be. If he continues to work hard and stay hungry, it can be ugly. It's scary how good he can be. The poise that he has out on the basketball court, the confidence, he has that swagger."
So does McGrady, whose 41 points overshadowed James' 34 in the Magic's 113-101 overtime victory against the Cavaliers.
The three-time All-Star, only 24 himself, said he drew extra motivation from the first meeting between two of the NBA's brightest young stars.
"Absolutely. It's Christmas. I would like to be home with my family," McGrady said. "But it's my job to come out and perform. And when you have a guy like LeBron coming into town with all the hype around him, everybody's going to be tuned in and want to see the outcome."
James matched last season's scoring leader point for point for most of the game. The rookie made 13 of 28 shots but was 4-of-10 on 3-pointers and missed all four of his shots in overtime.
"I play the same way every game. It doesn't matter who I play against or what team we are playing against," James said, noting he and McGrady play different positions and rarely found themselves matched one on one. "I just try and help my team win."
Juwan Howard scored Orlando's first eight of overtime. Then McGrady made two 3-pointers to finish with his second 40-plus game of the season. He also had eight rebounds and 11 assists.
Orlando has won seven of 10 since ending a 19-game losing streak. The Cavs' first three-game win streak in two seasons ended.
The game drew the first sellout to the T.D. Waterhouse Centre since James made his debut there in July in a summer-league game.
McGrady, coming off a 6-of-19 shooting night in a 22-point loss at Philadelphia on Monday, made his first three, including dunks on consecutive possessions.
James was even better during a 14-point first quarter, making his first four shots and five of seven during the quarter.
After six minutes on the bench he made his first two shots, both 3-pointers, and finished the half with 20 points on 7-for-9 shooting, including 4-of-5 on 3-pointers.
McGrady was 8-of-14 for 19 points at the break, and the Magic got 17 from its reserves to offset Cleveland's 61 percent shooting and take a 60-58 lead.
Orlando led 95-86 with 6:36 left in regulation then missed 12 of 13 shots, including its last six. The Cavs tied it at 97 on Carlos Boozer's rebound of a James miss with 46.9 seconds left.
