Final
Magic, Jazz tip off in Salt Lake City
Mar 22, 2014 - 2:13 PM (SportsNetwork.com) - Two of the NBA's worst teams jump it up Saturday night when the Orlando Magic visit EnergySolutions Arena to take on the Utah Jazz.The Magic own the league's third-worst mark at 19-50, while the Jazz are mildly better. Utah has the fourth-worst record at 22-47, so this one will feature two lottery-bound squads.
Both are mired in serious slumps as Orlando has lost seven in a row and the Jazz have dropped six straight.
The Magic will play their third of four consecutive games out west. Their last victory came on March 2 against Philadelphia. In fact, the only thing keeping Orlando from a 12-game slide are two matchups with the 76ers.
Last time out, the Magic, who have dropped five straight as the visitor, fell at Phoenix, 109-93.
Tobias Harris led all scorers with 23 points for Orlando and Arron Afflalo added 20 in the setback, the Magic's 21st in their last 22 road games. Victor Oladipo finished with 14 points and nine assists in defeat.
Orlando led 75-74 after a pair of free throws from Harris with 1:33 remaining in the third when Phoenix used a 23-3 run that flowed into the fourth quarter to take a stranglehold on its opponent.
"It's the ability to continue to sustain, to sustain the mind frame throughout the course of the game that gets you through ups and downs of the game," said Magic coach Jacque Vaughn on the Sun's late run. "You need to sustain your overall energy and be able to be locked into each possession."
The Jazz have lost 11 of their last 12, including three straight at home. Their only win during that time came against ... the Philadelphia 76ers.
On Wednesday, the Jazz fell in Memphis to the Grizzlies, 96-86.
Gordon Hayward, Trey Burke and Alec Burks each scored 16 for the Jazz. Enes Kanter registered a double-double with 12 points and 12 rebounds as no other Utah player scored in double figures.
The Jazz did a nice job defensively, holding the Grizzlies to 44 percent from the field and 18 percent from 3-point range. Memphis beat Utah on the boards, 46-39.
"It's always tough playing against those guys," said Jazz forward Derrick Favors, who was held to six points on 3-of-10 shooting.
The Jazz play three straight at home after playing nine of their last 11 on the road.
The Jazz beat the Magic in Orlando on Dec. 18 and have taken six straight in this series. Utah has also won four straight against Orlando in Salt Lake City.
Mar 22 11:29 PM- ORLANDO: 88
UTAH: 89
End of Regulation
Mar 22 11:28 PM - ORLANDO: 61
UTAH: 66
End of 3rd
Mar 22 10:49 PM - ORLANDO: 43
UTAH: 49
Halftime
Mar 22 10:08 PM - ORLANDO: 16
UTAH: 27
End of 1st
Mar 22 9:34 PM - ORLANDO: 0
UTAH: 0
1st Quarter - 11:47
Mar 22 9:12 PM
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