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Magic controls Ewing, Sonics in 110-99 win

By BRUCE LOWITT

© St. Petersburg Times, published November 7, 2000

ORLANDO -- It's not so much a case of what the Seattle SuperSonics are getting from Patrick Ewing as much as what they're getting with him.

"I expect a defensive presence, great rebounding and a presence on the offensive end," coach Paul Westphal said of his new 7-foot center, traded to the Sonics after 15 seasons -- and no championships -- with the New York Knicks.

"So far he has provided that every night. ... Patrick will have some big-scoring games, and other times he won't get too many shots. The main thing he brings is a genuine low-post threat and the ability to hit the shot from 17 to 18 feet."

Monday night against the Magic, Ewing said he didn't have enough. "We just got outplayed. I know I got outplayed by (John) Amaechi," he said after the Orlando center put up 20 points to his seven.

Guard Darrell Armstrong scored 20, too. And forward Tracy McGrady scored 31. It all added up to a 110-99 win by the Magic, who played without Grant Hill, who was put on injured reserve.

Hill will miss a minimum of five games. He is expected to be sidelined for at least two weeks because of left ankle problems.

After a slow start, the Magic played at a blistering pace, "and that was why we won the game," coach Doc Rivers said. "Amaechi is a straight eight- to nine-minute guy. One of the things he does really well is run the floor, (but) if you give him too many minutes, he will have a hard time getting over the exhaustion."

Instead, it was the Sonics who were worn out.

"We were kind of hesitant," Armstrong said. "And then all of a sudden we just turned it up. And like Doc said, they were just gasping for air. ... It wore them down at the end."

Said Amaechi: "The way we run, getting early position, easy positions, really helps. Half the time, all I had to do was turn round and put the ball in the basket, which makes life very simple"

Westphal said the Sonics hoped to take advantage of the Magic frontcourt.

"Their plan was to not let us do that," he said. "Their plan won. Their plan was to pressure us, and they did. They made us turn the ball over 25 times (leading to 34 Magic points). That, and the second shots we gave them, that was the game.

"Patrick played very well. This loss didn't have anything to do with Patrick. We were just too careless with the ball."

With Ewing in the paint, 6-11 Vin Baker is back at power forward.

"I was playing out of position for seven years," he said. "It's going great for me now. To have one of the best centers of all time playing next to me has been a tremendous advantage for me. It allows me to do so many more things on the floor -- rebounding, defending. ... It's been very refreshing for me to come back this year and assume another role other than scoring."

Baker had 13 points and matched Ewing's 10 rebounds. Gary Payton had 23 points and Rashard Lewis 28.

"The old Vin was always moving, finding ways to get open for his 20 (points) and 10 (rebounds)," point guard Gary Payton said. "Once Patrick gets doubled up, that's going to leave Vin open at the high post for his shot."

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