ORLANDO, Florida (Ticker) -- The Orlando Magic finished their season without NBA leading scorer Tracy McGrady, a look they may have to get used to.
Juwan Howard scored 26 points as the Magic completed their worst season since their inaugural campaign with a 89-95 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers, who also endured a disappointing season.
Despite missing the final nine games with a sore knee, McGrady won his second straight scoring title, averaging 28 points per game. But the Magic played poorly with him and without him, enduring losing streaks of 19 and 13 games and finishing a league-worst 21-61.
That ended a stretch of 11 straight seasons at .500 or better and matched Orlando's worst mark since it went 18-64 in its 1989-90 debut season. A rebuilding plan may be in order, and new general manager John Weisbrod said before the game he needs to know whether McGrady wants to be part of that.
"We can't let it walk into next season, we can't let it having T-Mac just opting out (at the end of next season) without us getting anything for it," Weisbrod said. "I need to have some comfort in what his state of mind is. I would never walk into a season saying, 'I don't know.' Shame on me if we get to January 1st of next year and I don't have a clue as to which way this thing is going.
"Obviously, if different pieces start falling, he'll have more and more information. Maybe somebody will call him this summer from another team. He's a 23-year-old kid. In July, he'll say, 'I've rethought this, I want to go no matter what.' You don't know, or he'll say 'Orlando is my home, and no matter what happens I want to be here.' We don't know all the answers to these questions."
McGrady, who came become a free agent in 2005 and is eligible for a contract extension, seemed confused by Weisbrod's comments.
"He's not asking me to make a decision for this season," McGrady said. "He wants to know what I'm thinking, whether I'm leaning toward staying."
"I don't consider making the franchise more attractive to Tracy an objective," Weisbrod said. "I just consider making the franchise as successful as possible. Obviously, in order to make it as successful as possible, we need to resolve this issue. I can't think of anything more important to focus on right now."
The 76ers (33-49) have similar problems as they missed the playoffs for the first time since 1998. They have to sort out issues with disgruntled superstar Allen Iverson, who would have been second in the league in scoring had he not missed a career-high 34 games with injuries.
Iverson, who feuded with interim coach Chris Ford, reportedly told Sixers general manager Billy King earlier this week that he would like to remain in Philadelphia.
"It's always tough when you don't make the playoffs," said Ford, who replaced the fired Randy Ayers in midseason and likely will not be back. "It's a vacation come too early."
The absences of McGrady and Iverson put the game in the hands of role players. A jumper by rookie Willie Green gave Philadelphia an 84-83 lead with 4:48 to play before Orlando rattled off nine straight points, including a layup and two free throws by Howard.
"It's good to leave the court in good health," Howard said.
Tyronn Lue scored 17 points and Drew Gooden and Andrew DeClercq added 10 apiece for the Magic, who split the four-game season series.
Samuel Dalembert had 23 points, 10 rebounds and six blocks for the Sixers, who lost six of their last seven games. They also finished the season without injured forwards Glenn Robinson, Derrick Coleman and Marc Jackson.
"It is difficult, because you look forward to playing this time of year," said guard Aaron McKie, who missed the playoffs for the just the second time in his 10-year career. "I think anybody in their right mind who is a professional wants to be playing during the postseason."
