Atlanta couldn’t have expected such a Magic turnaround.
Orlando had lost four straight games - all to teams that had losing records - for the first time since February 2007. And Carter said before the game he had a “mild separation’’ in his left shoulder but could be back as soon as next week, saying it was mostly soreness and didn’t require surgery.
At least now the Magic can head out on a tough four-game road trip with stops at the Los Angeles Lakers, Denver, Portland and Sacramento with some momentum.
A lot of it.
Filling in for the injured Carter, Redick highlighted a 26-6 run with some highlights worthy of his days as a star at Duke. He had a pair of hard-driving layups, a 3-pointer and a jumper rolling off a tight screen to help give the Magic a 44-24 lead late in the second quarter.
It would get worse for Atlanta. Much worse.
Dwight Howard swatted Joe Johnson’s shot into the first row, then twice connected on an alley-oop from Jameer Nelson. Ryan Anderson had a pair of powerful drop-steps in the post for layups. Barnes had a 3-point play and a shot-clock beating jumper; and one of backup center Marcin Gortat’s four blocks hit a videographer sitting on the baseline.
The Hawks didn’t help themselves.
They had 10 turnovers in the first half. They showed little poise - constantly arguing with officials - and had even fewer second-chance shots, a big reason why they trotted slowly to the locker room down a whopping 66-37.
Bobcats 89, Grizzlies 87 - Gerald Wallace tipped in Raymond Felton’s missed shot at the buzzer to lift host Charlotte over Memphis.
Moments after O.J. Mayo’s 3-pointer tied it, Felton drove to the basket on DeMarre Carroll. His floater was too strong and didn’t hit iron, but Wallace leaped over Zach Randolph and put it through as time expired.
Wallace tumbled to the floor, then jumped up and was mobbed by his teammates.
76ers 104, Pistons 94 - Elton Brand matched a season high with 25 points and was one of six double-digit scorers for visiting Philadelphia.
Detroit has lost 12 straight in its worst slump since April 1994.
