‘Big Dog’ dominates Magic

Robinson scores 22 in Philadelphia's 95-73 victory

? Glenn Robinson sat in front of a loaded ice bucket and smiled as he rattled off some of his point totals since returning from an injury. Robinson soaked it all in — his numbers and his aching ankles.

Robinson scored a season-high 22 points, and Eric Snow added 14 points and 14 assists to lead Philadelphia to a 95-73 victory Monday night over Orlando.

“I didn’t expect to be playing this well right now,” Robinson said. “It’s not all about scoring. As long as I’m in a position to help my teammates win, I’m happy with that.”

Robinson bounced back from a 2-for-10, four-point game a day earlier against Boston, and helped the Sixers snap a two-game losing streak and move back into a tie for first place in the Atlantic Division.

Robinson, traded from Atlanta this summer, was supposed to be the perfect scoring complement to Allen Iverson. Instead, he’s missed 18 games, mostly because of a left ankle sprain, and has been inconsistent since his return from the injured list two weeks ago.

In his two games before Sunday, Robinson scored 18 and 19 points, but combined for eight in the two before that. He was sharp against the Magic in 38 minutes, hitting several long-range jumpers while going 10-for-20 from the floor.

“It’s no secret, I’m still moving a little slow,” Robinson said. “Every time I don’t play well, I don’t want to credit that to injuries. I want to keep pushing it and put it in the back of my mind.”

Coach Randy Ayers credited Robinson for continuing to practice and work out the day after games, which has improved his health and stamina.

“A lot of times people will back off, but he’s pushed forward,” Ayers said.

Orlando guard Tracy McGrady, center, dives for a loose ball with Philadelphia's Zendon Hamilton, left, and Glenn Robinson during the first half. McGrady scored a team-high 20 points, but Robinson scored a game-high 22 in the 76ers' 95-73 victory Monday in Philadelphia.

Kyle Korver had nine of his 16 points for the 76ers in the fourth quarter when they outscored Orlando 25-9. Korver went 3-for-4 on three-point attempts in the fourth, a day after he made all five three-pointers against the Celtics.

Korver, earning more playing time because of sharp shooting and a thin bench, has made 15 of 20 three-point attempts in the last five games.

“I finally feel like I belong out there,” Korver said. “I don’t feel like he’s (Ayers) putting me in just because we don’t have anybody. I feel like I’m playing all right.”

Tracy McGrady missed nine of his first 10 shots, but finished with 20 points for the Magic, whose season-best three-game winning streak ended. The Magic went 22-for-35 from the free-throw line and 33 percent from the field.

“I thought we ran out of gas in the fourth quarter,” Magic coach Johnny Davis said. “We didn’t shoot the ball very well and we didn’t make free throws. That’s a sign of fatigue.”

Aaron McKie had 14 points for Philadelphia, including a couple of three-pointers and a driving layup down the baseline in a two-minute stretch in the second quarter that gave them a 12-point lead.

McKie and Robinson have to carry the scoring load with the Sixers weakened by injury.

Iverson missed his fifth straight game because of a swollen right knee, Derrick Coleman did not play because of a left knee sprain, and Kenny Thomas left during the second quarter because of flu-like symptoms.

Ayers said Iverson could rejoin the Sixers in the middle of a five-game Western road trip that starts Friday against the Los Angeles Clippers. Iverson said last week he would not travel if the knee bothered him.

The Sixers end the trip Jan. 3 at San Antonio. Ayers did not know when, or if, Iverson would join them.

Jazz 92, Bulls 80

Chicago — Andrei Kirilenko had 26 points and a career-high 16 rebounds to lead Utah to its 11th victory in the last 12 meetings with Chicago. Matt Harpring also had a double-double, finishing with 15 points and 14 rebounds for the Jazz, who wrapped up a six-game road trip with a .500 record. They won despite turning the ball over 26 times.

Nuggets 106, Grizzlies 99

Denver — Voshon Lenard scored 24 points, and Andre Miller had 21 points and 10 assists. The Nuggets, matching their victory total of last season (17), opened the fourth quarter with a 14-4 run for a 95-84 lead. Nene added 16 points and Carmelo Anthony 15 for Denver, which shot 51 percent compared to Memphis’ 47 percent. Pau Gasol led the Grizzlies with 24 points and 14 rebounds, and James Posey added 20 points.