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McGrady is too McMuch
Sputtering Bucks' playoff pulse weakens
By MICHAEL HUNT
of the Journal Sentinel staff
Last Updated: March 20, 2002
Orlando - It is not enough that the Milwaukee Bucks have been playing as if they are more than prepared to abdicate their Central Division throne.

Bucks-Magic


Photo/AP
George Karl shakes hands with Orlando Magic coach Glenn "Doc" Rivers before the game Tuesday.


Related Coverage

Box Score: Magic 101, Bucks 91
Bucks: Tuesday's report
Handshake: Karl, Rivers will talk


Bucks Etc.

Bucks: Virtual cards
Bucks: '01 schedule
Bucks: 2001-'02 stats
Preseason: '01 review
Bucks: 2001-'02 roster
Photos: 2001-'02 gallery
Bucks: Playoff history
NBA: Scoreboard
NBA: Standings


NBA Report

EASTERN CONFERENCE
Atlantic

Boston
Miami
New Jersey
New York
Orlando
Philadelphia
Washington Central

Atlanta
Charlotte
Chicago
Cleveland
Detroit
Indiana
Milwaukee
Toronto  
WESTERN CONFERENCE
Midwest

Dallas
Denver
Houston
Minnesota
San Antonio
Utah
Memphis  Pacific

Golden St.
LA Clippers
LA Lakers
Phoenix
Portland
Sacramento
Seattle
Standings | Statistics



Now they're working on giving away home-court advantage in the first round of the playoffs . . . or maybe even the playoffs themselves.

On a floor and against an opponent where success has been nearly automatic during the past two-plus seasons, the Bucks dropped a 101-91 decision Tuesday night to Orlando. Falling for the first time to the Magic after 10 consecutive regular-season victories, and 13 of 14 counting the playoffs, the Bucks (36-30) lost for the seventh time in 10 games this month.

Now just three games ahead of Charlotte, which holds the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference with 16 regular-season games to play, the Bucks were gunned down with 48 points from Tracy McGrady and 7-for-10 three-point shooting by Pat Garrity.

After their third consecutive loss, the Bucks held a brief closed-door, players-only meeting to assess the tenuous month ahead.

Calling it "a little conversation," an upbeat Anthony Mason described the tenor of the meeting this way:

"We're trying to find something to rally around. When this team has fun, the energy goes in a positive direction. We've got to have a common goal, get back to having fun. This team has so much talent. I think we put too much pressure on ourselves."

So did McGrady, who became the fourth opponent this year to score 40 or more against the Bucks after Latrell Sprewell (48) and Allan Houston (44) of New York and Denver's Nick Van Exel (44). With very little success, the Bucks tried a variety of defenders against McGrady, including Mason, Darvin Ham, Michael Redd and Glenn Robinson, who left the game for more than 15 minutes in the second half to get treatment for a bruised tailbone suffered in a nasty fall.

After scoring 30 points in the first half, McGrady led the Magic (37-30) to a 20-point lead early in the third quarter. He finished two points off his career high while also contributing 12 rebounds from his shooting-guard position.

"Tracy was unbelievable," Bucks guard Sam Cassell said. "To me, he is the best player in the league behind Shaq (O'Neal). He does it all. People want to talk about Kobe (Bryant), (Allen) Iverson, which are two great players. But he is tough."

So was Garrity, who knocked down a critical three-point shot each time the Bucks threatened to make a second-half run. Scoring all his 21 points from behind the arc, Garrity was rarely accounted for when the Magic played draw and kick.

"That's the way they've been playing lately, penetrating and getting Garrity great shots," Mason said. "He's probably their best shooter. When you suck the defense in, he's going to get good looks."

Robinson went down with 7:04 left in the third quarter, after the Bucks had cut the Orlando lead to 60-50. Trying to defend another Garrity three-point attempt, Robinson leaped toward the Magic gunner and caught his hip near Garrity's shoulder. Robinson went down hard on his tailbone but was able to walk on his own to the locker room.

Robinson, who scored 13 points, returned to the bench with 5:50 left in the game. He was back on the floor with 3:30 left and the Bucks down by 11, but by then it was too late.

"I tried to give it a shot," Robinson said. "I tried. It's going to be sore (today)."

Robinson and the Bucks will try to recuperate in the warmth of the Florida sun today before leaving Thursday for a game at conference-leading New Jersey the next evening. Their minds, as well as their bodies, could use healing.

"I'm not going to analyze the season," Bucks coach George Karl said. "I just think right now we're in a race. We should be getting excited about being in a playoff race, and I think we are."