NBA ROUNDUP : Big Loss Is Forgotten as Magic Routs Pistons

The Orlando Magic bounced back Wednesday night by looking ahead, not behind.

Shaquille O’Neal scored 37 points, 28 in the second half, as the Atlantic Division leaders remained the NBA’s only unbeaten team at home with a 124-107 victory over the Detroit Pistons at Orlando.

Rebounding from a 32-point loss at Chicago the night before, Orlando broke the game open with a 14-2 run led by Anfernee Hardaway late in the second quarter.

The Magic improved to 16-0 at Orlando Arena and has not lost two in a row all season.

Coach Brian Hill said he didn’t say much to the players about Tuesday night’s 109-77 loss to the Bulls. Instead, he focused on defensive adjustments that he believed were necessary for the team’s second game in four days against the Pistons.

“When you’ve got back-to-back games, it doesn’t do any good to bring up memories of last night,” Hill said. “We talked about Detroit and what we had to do to win this game.”

O’Neal, who sat out much of the opening half in foul trouble, made all eight of his shots in the third quarter as Orlando built on a 12-point halftime lead.

Charlotte 100, Minnesota 91--Larry Johnson had 23 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists at Charlotte as the Hornets extended their franchise-record winning streak to seven games.

The Timberwolves were held to less than 100 points for the 16th consecutive game, the second-longest streak since the inception of the 24-second clock in 1954.

Chicago 115, Philadelphia 77--Scottie Pippen scored 21 points and the Bulls limited the 76ers to eight points in the third quarter at Philadelphia.

Philadelphia’s third-quarter drought tied a franchise record, set last Jan. 15 at Cleveland.

Houston 108, Miami 97--Robert Horry and Vernon Maxwell helped the Rockets match an NBA record with eight three-point baskets in the first quarter and Kenny Smith scored 25 points at Houston.

Portland 104, Golden State 92--Rod Strickland and Harvey Grant combined for 13 points in an 18-2 fourth-quarter run that lifted the Trail Blazers at Portland.

The Warriors’ Tim Hardaway suffered a sprained right knee and did not play the second half.

Boston 100, Indiana 97--Dee Brown, who had 25 points and 11 assists, made two key free throws down the stretch to lift the Celtics at Boston.

Utah 114, Denver 88--Karl Malone scored 22 points at Salt Lake City to help the Jazz win for the 12th time in 14 games.

Milwaukee 97, Sacramento 88--Vin Baker matched a season high with 26 points at Milwaukee to help the Bucks end a three-game losing streak.