MAGIC 108, JAZZ 111 Ref rattles Orlando By Jerry Brewer | Sentinel Staff Writer Posted March 13, 2003 SEASON RECORD 33-33, 4th in Atlantic Division NEXT GAME March 15, vs. New Orleans, 7 p.m. LAST GAME March 12, lost to Utah, 111-108 Less than a second short of defeat, the moment tormented Doc Rivers. Here was Karl Malone at the line again, one more time, so frustrating an occurrence it was almost laughable. Rivers would not laugh. He just stared. He looked at referee Ed Malloy, eyes piercing the No. 73 on the official's back. When Malloy turned around, Rivers kept staring. The Orlando Magic lost 111-108 to Utah on Wednesday night at TD Waterhouse. After an intense second half of foul calls, no calls and -- in Rivers' mind -- wrong walls, Rivers fumed. Rivers was upset at Malloy because he thought the rookie official was afraid of the veteran Jazz players, especially Malone. The Mailman shot 22 free throws and scored 40 points, the most any opponent has scored against the Magic this season. "It wasn't they," Rivers said, noting that he thought two other officials did a good job. "It was the young guy, who was intimidated the entire night. He really was. I hate to say that, but he was." Rivers took issue with several calls. There was the technical foul on Andrew DeClercq midway through the third quarter, which actually sparked a 22-7 Magic run. "It's the worst technical foul I've ever seen in my life," Rivers said. "It really is." There was a foul call in Malone's favor with 28 seconds left on a play in which Rivers swore Malone kicked the ball out of bounds. There was Pat Garrity's heave with 0.9 seconds left in the game, in which a foul was called. The Magic argued that Garrity was in his shooting motion, and therefore deserved three free throws. The officials ruled that the foul was before the shot, and Garrity received only two free throws with the Magic trailing 110-107. Garrity made the first free throw and tried to miss the second intentionally. His shot bounced off the backboard, but did not hit the rim, and the Jazz received the ball. Asked if he should've been given three free throws, Garrity said, "If it would have been in the second quarter with six minutes left, I think so, but they're never going to give you it. Late in the game, I understand that you're never going to get that call." Even though they questioned the officiating, Magic (33-33) should have won this game. They led 104-95 with just over five minutes remaining. They expended all their energy turning a double-digit deficit in their favor and then had nothing at the end. The Magic's best chance to tie late in the game ended with a mistake. Trailing 109-107, Jazz guard John Stockton missed a driving layup. DeClercq, who finished with 12 points and six rebounds, grabbed the rebound, but Malone stole his outlet pass. Malone made one of two free throws, which set up the Garrity the play in which Garrity was fouled. Guard Tracy McGrady finished with 32 points, his fifth straight game with at least 30 points, but he missed 17 of 26 shots. Garrity added 20 points. Rookies Gordan Giricek and Drew Gooden struggled. Giricek was missed 15 of 19 shots and scored 13 points. Gooden played only 18 minutes and had eight points and five rebounds while learning some lessons from the cagey Malone. "When you dig yourself a hole, and you try to get yourself back into the game, the effort is great and everything is good," McGrady said, "but when you finally get yourself back in there, it's like you don't have enough energy to get yourself over the hump. That's what happened."
