Turkoglu's 3-pointer puts Magic over 76ers 84-81

[April 27, 2009]  PHILADELPHIA (AP) -- Hedo Turkoglu answered the Philadelphia 76ers' late-game heroics with a big shot of his own. Turkoglu nailed a 3-pointer over Thaddeus Young with 1.1 seconds left to lift the Orlando Magic to an 84-81 victory over Philadelphia on Sunday, evening their Eastern Conference first-round series at two games apiece.

Dwight Howard had 18 points and 18 rebounds, and every Magic starter scored in double figures. Turkoglu and Rashard Lewis each added 17.

Andre Miller led the Sixers with 17 and Young had 15.

Game 5 of the best-of-seven series is Tuesday night in Orlando. The teams have alternated wins so far.

The Sixers earned both of their victories on clutch shots at the end. Andre Iguodala swished a 22-foot jumper with 2.2 seconds remaining in Philadelphia's 100-98 victory in Game 1. Young's driving layup with 2 seconds left gave the Sixers a 96-94 win in Game 3.

Orlando blew 18-point leads in the first two games and nearly allowed the Sixers to overcome a 10-point deficit late in the fourth quarter in this one.

Philadelphia pulled within 79-77 after Iguodala nailed a 3-pointer and Miller scored on a driving layup with 2:33 left.

Turkoglu answered with a layup, though he didn't convert the three-point play by missing a free throw. Miller sank a pair of free throws to make it 81-79.

After both teams misfired, Iguodala found Samuel Dalembert alone underneath for an easy jam to tie it at 81.

Turkoglu, who had struggled in this series, got the ball on Orlando's final possession. He dribbled, waited and sank the 24-footer to put the Magic ahead. Iguodala's desperation 3-pointer missed at the buzzer.

Hardly anyone gave the Sixers much of a chance in this series after they lost six of their final seven games and entered with a 41-41 record. But they've played the heavily favored Magic evenly the first four games.

The Magic had more road wins (27) in the regular season than Philadelphia had home wins (24), but the Sixers had the advantage in their building. It was far from a sellout at the Wachovia Center, but it was loud all night.

Turkoglu sent the fans home silent.

After a hard-fought, physical first half that ended in a 36-all tie, the Magic came out firing in the third quarter. Orlando hit its first seven shots and briefly pulled away with a 10-0 run early in the quarter.

Rafer Alston hit a 3-pointer before the run started. Courtney Lee and Lewis each hit 3s during it, Howard had an emphatic jam and the Magic led 51-41. Lee's driving layup sent Orlando into the final quarter with a 64-55 lead.

Notes: Kevin Eubanks, a Philly native, performed the national anthem on guitar. Eubanks is the bandleader on the "Tonight Show With Jay Leno."... The Sixers haven't won a playoff series since beating New Orleans in 2003. ... Orlando tied Cleveland and Boston for the second-best road record in the NBA this season at 27-14, just two games behind the Lakers. The Magic haven't lost consecutive road games all season. ... Turkoglu shot 2-for-12 in Game 3. ... The Sixers took 13 more shots than the Magic in the first half, but shot 34.1 percent to Orlando's 48.4.

[Associated Press; By ROB MAADDI]

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