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Ewing (22), Magic win

 
Published Nov. 15, 2001|Updated Sept. 10, 2005

Something about playing in Phoenix makes Patrick Ewing feel young again.

The 39-year-old center, in his best offensive game in two seasons, scored 22 points and had 15 rebounds as the Magic held off the Suns 93-92 Wednesday night.

"The big fella, he gave it to us tonight," teammate Tracy McGrady said. "You know he's not going to give it to us every night, but we definitely needed it tonight."

Ewing, whose high game last season was 21 points against the Suns, scored 14 in the first half on 6-for-6 shooting and finished 10-for-16 in 30 minutes to easily eclipse his season high of 12 points.

"I was telling him on the court "You're an old man,' " the Suns' Rodney Rogers said, "He said, "Hey, I'm just trying.' "

After years of cold winters in New York, Ewing loves life in Florida, where he joked that he's found the fountain of youth.

"It's nice here, too," Ewing said of Arizona. "Wherever it's nice and warm, it's great with me."

Ewing said he's still learning how to come off the bench.

"It's an adjustment for me. I'm trying to stay focused. Whenever he calls my number, I just try to be as ready as I can," he said.

McGrady added 24 points, 9 rebounds and 8 assists as the Magic snapped a three-game road losing streak in its third stop on a four-game road trip. He showed no effects from a bruised shin he got against Utah on Monday.

"Once I get out on the court, I just erase all pain out of my mind," he said. "It's time to play basketball."

Stephon Marbury scored 25 and Shawn Marion 20 for the Suns. Penny Hardaway added 12 points on 4-for-14 shooting. The Suns scored the last five points of the game and had a chance to win it, but Marbury's one-hander on a drive didn't connect.

"I got a really good look at it," Marbury said. "It just didn't go in, but it was a fun game to be a part of."

Coach Scott Skiles said Ewing was a problem for the Suns, but not the only one.

"It really hurt us giving Bo Outlaw two layups in the fourth quarter," Skiles said. "We stood there and let him lay the ball in the basket, and almost jumped out of his way, I thought."

After losing the first two on a four-game road trip, the victory was important for the Magic.

"I told the guys during timeouts that this is going to prove what I've been preaching all year," coach Doc Rivers said. "We've got a great offensive basketball team, but when your offense isn't working, can you get stops? If you're able to get stops, you're going to win a lot of basketball games."

Grant Hill, who scored 14, sank two free throws with 1:37 to play to put Orlando up 93-87. Rogers' rebound basket cut it to 93-89 with 1:13 to play, then Marbury's third 3-pointer cut it to 93-92 with 43.7 seconds to play.

Pat Garrity missed a 3-pointer to give Phoenix its last chance.

The Suns' Tom Gugliotta didn't play because of a mild concussion.