PHOENIX _ The Orlando Magic watched a four-point lead evaporate in a matter of about 15 seconds and they went on to drop a 98-94 decision to the Phoenix Suns on Friday night at Talking Stick Resort Arena.
Nikola Vucevic gave the Magic a 94-90 lead with a 3-pointer with 58.1 seconds to play, but Devin Booker connected on back-to-back 3s _ the second after a steal against Markelle Fultz _ to move the Suns ahead to stay with 36 seconds left.
Ricky Rubio then came up with a steal as he double-teamed Vucevic, who was trying to back down the smaller Booker in the post.
Rubio was fouled and made one free throw to make it 97-94.
On their next possession, the Magic got an off-balance 3 attempt by Evan Fournier that missed and they were done from there.
Fournier scored a game-high 28 points to lead the Magic, who were playing without starting forward Aaron Gordon (right calf tightness) and reserve point guard D.J. Augustin (left knee contusion).
Vucevic and Terrence Ross each had 18 points for Orlando (18-21) while Fultz scored 15 points, but had just one point in the second half.
Booker finished with 24 points _ 16 coming in the first half _ to lead the Suns (15-23). Kelly Oubre Jr., who had eight points when the teams met in December, posted 22 points.
The Magic were down 11 at one point and trailed 68-60 before a 9-0 run gave them their first lead of the game at 69-68 with 5:29 left in the third quarter. From there, neither team led by more than four points.
The Suns looked poised to run away early in the second quarter when they went up 38-31 on a pull-up jumper by Tyler Johnson. But the Magic responded with eight of the next 10 points and closed within 40-39 after a three-point play by Khem Birch.
Phoenix then outscored Orlando 18-9 over the final 5:33 of the half _ with Booker scoring the final seven _ to create some separation.
The Magic continue their road trip Monday in Sacramento when they take on the Kings. The game tips off at 10 p.m. and will be televised on Fox Sports Florida.
