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Dragic helps Suns edge Magic

Nov 25, 2013 - 5:26 AM Orlando, FL (SportsNetwork.com) - Goran Dragic registered 23 points and 13 assists as the Phoenix Suns downed the Orlando Magic, 104-96, from Amway Center on Sunday.

Phoenix gained the lead on back-to-back Gerald Green 3-pointers early in the first quarter and led the rest of the way. Green made his fourth straight start for the injured Eric Bledsoe and scored 20 points in the victory.

Channing Frye netted 14 points while Marcus and Markieff Morris scored 16 and 12, respectively, off the bench.

The Suns have won two in a row on the heels of a four-game losing skid.

"We know those guys played yesterday and they would be a little bit tired," said Dragic, "so we tried to jump them early and take advantage. Our goal was to play fast as possible, get easy buckets and be solid defensively."

Nikola Vucevic paced the Magic with 20 points and 10 rebounds. Jameer Nelson went for 15 points and nine assists and Andrew Nicholson shot 3-of-4 from 3- point range en route to 19 points off the bench as Orlando lost its fourth straight tilt.

"Give them credit, they have some shot makers over there," said Orlando coach Jacque Vaughn. "They have guys that get the ball in their hands and make plays and make shots for their team."

Green had 13 of his 20 points in the first quarter, while Marcus Morris added six late in the period as Phoenix jumped out to a 31-21 lead after 12 minutes.

Nicholson sparked a 12-2 Orlando surge with a pair of treys and a short jump hook to pull the hosts back within three at 40-37, but Dragic quieted the crowd with a pullup jumper at the 5:24 mark of the second.

The Suns' lead was six late in the half when P.J. Tucker sank a corner triple with less than 10 seconds remaining. Phoenix held the Magic without a fastbreak point and led 53-44 at the break.

Orlando made another run midway through the third but once again failed to get over the hump and closed the quarter poorly.

Arron Afflalo was fouled shooting a 3-pointer and made all three free throws for a 66-63 Magic deficit. Orlando got a stop and had a chance to knot the score, but Victor Oladipo's trey was off the mark and the Suns regained control with a Green triple.

Phoenix put the game away late with a 9-2 run in the final minutes.

Game Notes

Phoenix outscored Orlando 18-6 in transition ... Tobias Harris made his season debut for the Magic, scoring six points in just over 16 minutes off the bench. He had been sidelined with a badly sprained ankle ... The Suns had lost seven of eight against Orlando.