T-Mac has first 60-point game since 2000

ORLANDO (AP) -- Tracy McGrady had a record-setting night that felt strangely empty.

McGrady scored a team-record 62 points, becoming just the third NBA player in the past dozen years to score that many, in the Orlando Magic's 108-99 victory over the Washington Wizards on Wednesday night.

"I really didn't enjoy it, but I should have," McGrady said. "Usually when I have a big game like this, the crowd is going crazy and I like getting into it with them, but I didn't feel it tonight.

"I couldn't get into it because of the record we have, the fact we're not going nowhere after the regular season -- it's just frustrating."

McGrady broke Shaquille O'Neal's team record of 53 points set against Minnesota in 1994. It was the league's first 60-point game since O'Neal had 61 for the Lakers against the Los Angeles Clippers on Mar. 6, 2000.

In the past 12 years, only David Robinson (71 vs. the Clippers on April 24, 1994) and Michael Jordan (63 vs. Orlando on Jan. 16, 1993) have scored as least 62 points in a game.

McGrady shot 20-for-37 from the field, including 5-for-14 from 3-point range, and made 17 of 26 free throws in 46 minutes. He also had 10 rebounds and five assists.

"This might be a good place for us to start building momentum for next season," Magic coach Johnny Davis said. "That was a great individual performance by an amazing basketball player, and the icing on the cake is that we won the game."

McGrady showed little emotion while scoring 55 of his points over the final three quarters -- most on jump shots from the 18- to 20-foot range.

"We could have stopped him by fouling him real hard, but you don't want to play dirty basketball," said Washington guard Gilbert Arenas, who fell one short of his career-high with 40 points. "You just got to let him play and once he gets it rolling, he's really hard to stop.

"He put on one hell of a show," said Magic teammate Keith Bogans. "I was just sitting there watching in amazement. I've never seen a guy take over a game like that."

McGrady's previous career-high was 52 points against Chicago on Feb. 21, 2003. He scored 51 earlier this season against Denver.

The Magic, who have won only 19 games this season, swept the four-game season series.

McGrady scored 17 of the Magic's first 19 points in the second quarter, the last coming on a 3-pointer that put Orlando ahead 34-22 with 7:21 left before halftime. The Magic pushed that lead to as many as 15 before Arenas started scoring.

Arenas had nine of Washington's last 11 points in the quarter, including a steal and layup that cut the deficit to 46-40 with 45 seconds left in the half. Arenas finished with 22 in the half.

McGrady and Arenas resumed their shooting duel to start the second half, with McGrady scoring 16 points in the first seven minutes and Arenas countering with 11.

McGrady ended up with 24 points in the quarter, one off the team-record 25 he scored in the second quarter against Denver last season.

Arenas led the Wizards with 40 points, while Etan Thomas added 19 points and 11 rebounds. The Wizards lost their fourth straight game.

"When it's all said and done, this will just be one of 82 games in the book," McGrady said. "Just close the book and that's it. There's nothing to be said except get ready for next season."

Game notes
McGrady outscored the Wizards 24-23 in the first 18 minutes of the game. ... Wizards G Juan Dixon, who scored 61 points in his previous three games, suffered a sprained ankle 10 seconds into the game and played only 12 minutes. He didn't score. ... The Magic shot only 25 percent (6-of-24) and the Wizards 27 percent (6-of-22) in the first period. Washington had only three assists in the first half when it scored 40 points. The Magic were outrebounded 51-47, the sixth straight game they were beaten on the boards.