PHOENIX _ The Orlando Magic took a lead over the Phoenix Suns with 5:22 left in the first half Friday night at Talking Stick Resort Arena, and unlike the previous two games, they never lost it. As much as the Suns tried to battle back, the Magic found answers and finished off a five-game western states road trip with a 99-85 victory.
Nikola Vucevic's baby hook with two minutes left in the game gave the Magic their biggest lead at 15 points and assured them of a happy plane ride home to Orlando, completing the five games on the road with a 2-3 record.
Terrence Ross, as has become a regular occurrence, provided Orlando with some first-half energy it was lacking and the spark caught on with the rest of the squad.
Ross had 13 first-half points and finished with 21, while Vucevic was consistent as usual with 25 points and 15 rebounds. The Magic finally started hitting the boards more aggressively, outrebounding Phoenix 44-40. It was the change coach Steve Clifford wanted to see on the glass after the Magic failed to rebound well during losses to Golden State and Portland.
Magic forward Aaron Gordon, who was battling tightness in his lower back, had 18 points and six rebounds, and D.J. Augustin had 16 points and six assists.
The Magic, now 11-12 so far this season, are off for three days before facing the Heat in Miami on Tuesday night.
