Outsized inside and reeling emotionally, the Orlando Magic were picked apart defensively, missed four shots and turned the ball over three times in overtime Sunday afternoon.

But the true source of the Magic's loss to the San Antonio Spurs could be traced back to the final seconds of regulation when they made one tactical blunder after another -- critical errors that turned a sure victory into one of their most deflating defeats of the season.

Leading by three points in the final seconds of regulation, not only did Orlando fail to foul early to prevent a 3-point attempt from ever coming off, but it also inexplicably allowed NBA-leader Steve Smith to get an open look from beyond the arc. Smith's shot tied the game with 8 seconds remaining, and San Antonio proceeded to batter the dispirited Magic in overtime of a 105-98 victory before 15,072 stunned fans at the TD Waterhouse Centre.

That Smith, who is making 52.9 percent of his 3-pointers and is on pace to shatter the all-time NBA record, got so open for the game-tying 3-pointer was baffling to the Magic. Tracy McGrady, who was guarding Smith, was picked from behind by Spurs' 7-footers David Robinson and then by Tim Duncan. Magic power forward Don Reid, who was guarding Duncan, was responsible for getting out on Smith, but failed to do so.

"Once I got picked and (Smith) got past me I should grabbed his arm or jersey or something," McGrady admitted. "Whoever's guy sets the screen has got to get out there and give help. You learn from these mistakes and you don't let it happen again, but we got burned."

Many NBA coaches choose to foul in that situation, figuring that if a team can't take a 3-pointer, they certainly can't make a 3-pointer. Magic coach Doc Rivers is in the minority on that subject and said that there was too much time still remaining (13 seconds) when the Spurs started the possession to foul. But that thinking cost Orlando twice last season when Paul Pierce and Michael Finley hit game-tying 3-pointers -- games the Magic eventually lost in overtime. In another similar situation last season, Reggie Miller -- the NBA's all-time 3-point record holder -- was not fouled and got free for a potential game-winner at the horn.

"No, with 13 seconds left -- never. I'm a 6 seconds (or less) guy," Rivers said of his strategy. "Bottom line is that Steve Smith shouldn't be wide open. He's only the best 3-point shooter in the NBA. Obviously, someone fell asleep. Another disappointing thing is we drew the play up in the timeout."

Riding the emotional wave of a win in Detroit Friday night, Orlando missed out on yet another chance to distance itself from .500. The Magic (24-24) host the Cleveland Cavaliers Tuesday night and then take a week off for the All-Star break.

"It's really frustrating, one of the most frustrating ones of the season," said Magic forward Pat Garrity, who had 11 points, but saw his streak of 18 games with at least one 3-pointer come to an end. "We played with so much passion and spirit and they seemed kind of tired because they had played Friday. But when something tough goes against you, we've got to find a way to get it going."

McGrady had a career-best 17 rebounds, but the bad news was that many of them were coming after his own misses. Duncan and Robinson not only thwarted several of his dunks, but also altered many of his shots right at the rim with their size. McGrady launched a career-high 36 shots, but made just 12 and finished with 26 points.

Orlando led by as many as eight in the fourth quarter, thanks largely to the inspired play of point guard Darrell Armstrong. Armstrong single-handedly sparked the Magic to victory in the second half last week against Miami, and seemed to be doing the same Sunday. He had 12 points in the fourth quarter and 25 for the game. He added seven assists and five steals.

"I guess we're still learning how to close out games," Armstrong said.

The victory could not have come at a better time for the Spurs (30-16). San Antonio started the season 20-4, but is just 10-12 since then. They had lost three in a row and six of eight coming into Sunday.

Duncan and Robinson were too much for a Magic team that was playing without 6-foot-10 Horace Grant (food poisoning) and 7-footer Patrick Ewing (Achilles tendinitis). Duncan had 29 points and 15 rebounds, while Robinson scored a season-best 27 points, grabbed eight rebounds and blocked seven shots. The two of them combined for 10 points in overtime -- two more than the Magic scored in the extra period.

"Once they hit that shot it was like a dagger went into our hearts and everyone was hanging their heads," McGrady said. "We still had overtime, but that shot put us out right there."

Numerous things went wrong on Smith's game-tying shot, but McGrady was quick to accept the blame for allowing his man to get so open on the final shot.

"I put this on myself because I could have done a better job of holding Steve Smith up," McGrady said. "But when you don't know the pick is coming from behind, it's hard to stay with your guy. And I never heard any yelling that a pick was coming. Yes, I should have had some help on the play, but I've got to hold Steve Smith on that play."