Redick’s big game lifts Magic past Nuggets 103-97 with Vince Carter injured

Redick lifts Magic past Nuggets without Carter

ORLANDO, Fla. — J.J. Redick had 23 points and career highs of eight assists and seven rebounds in place of an injured Vince Carter, helping the Orlando Magic beat the Denver Nuggets 103-97 on Sunday night.

Redick was 8-for-15 shooting and played a career-high 46 minutes after Carter sprained his right big toe. The Magic also got a big boost with 19 points from reserve Ryan Anderson for their 13th win in the last 15 games.

Carmelo Anthony had 26 points and eight rebounds, and Chauncey Billups finished with 18 points for the struggling Nuggets, losers of four of their past five games.

The Magic broke away from a tight game with an 18-7 run late in the fourth quarter. The spurt included a jumper by Redick that rolled around the rim four times until sinking, with Redick laughing it up all the way back downcourt.

It was that kind of night — after it began with an immediate twist.

Carter left 95 seconds into the game with the injury, two days after he sprained his right ankle in a win over Minnesota. It was not immediately clear how long Carter could be sidelined.

His replacement faired just fine.

Redick filled up the stat sheet with an all-around game that he has rarely shown in the four years since he left Duke. Not only was his shooting sharp in this one, he was directing the Magic’s offense.

Redick zipped one overhead pass from the arc to a cutting Matt Barnes underneath the hoop. He reached around a defender to bounce pass to Marcin Gortat for a dunk, and had several other hard drives that he kicked back out for shots.

Redick helped the Magic go ahead 52-51 after the second quarter in a what was a topsy-turvy half for both teams.

The Nuggets created some separation by scoring eight straight points to start the third quarter, the last coming on consecutive layups by Arron Afflalo and Billups. Denver would stretch its lead to 67-57 a few minutes later before the Magic answered with nine straight points, highlighted by a put-back dunk by Barnes that tightened things until the finish.

NOTES: Redick’s previous career highs were seven assists, six rebounds and 45 minutes. … Denver coach George Karl missed his 11th game since announcing that he had been diagnosed with throat and neck cancer. The Nuggets are 6-5 during without Karl. … Anthony and Billups were called for technical fouls in the second and fourth quarters, respectively. Rashard Lewis and Redick missed each free throw for the Magic. … The Magic’s 20th annual Black Tie and Tennis Charity Gala last week raised more than $400,000 through the Orlando Magic Youth Foundation and the McCormick Foundation match, the team announced. … Nuggets F Kenyon Martin (knee) sat out his 13th consecutive game.