National Basketball Association

Sixers stun Magic again on late layup

Published Apr. 25, 2009 6:28 a.m. ET

foxsports

Thaddeus Young started his drive to the basket and was thinking pass, only to alter his plans because he nearly lost the ball.

Instead of an assist or even worse, a turnover, Young made the biggest shot of his life.

Young's driving layup with 2 seconds left lifted Philadelphia to a 96-94 victory over the Orlando Magic on Friday night, giving the 76ers a surprising 2-1 lead in their Eastern Conference first-round series.

"It was the biggest shot ever for me," Young said. "It was a lucky shot. I'm glad I hit it. I'm glad the ball was in my hands."

Game 4 of the best-of-seven series is Sunday night at the Wachovia Center. The Sixers, who stumbled into the playoffs with six losses in their last seven games and a 41-41 record, are two wins away from their second playoff series victory since Allen Iverson led them to the NBA finals in 2001.

Dwight Howard had 36 points and 11 rebounds for the Magic, who won 59 games during the regular season. Andre Iguodala led the Sixers with 29 points, though he missed two free throws in the final minute. Andre Miller added 24 and Young had six.

"We were badly outplayed for 30 minutes," Magic coach Stan Van Gundy said. "We're lucky to even be in the situation we're in. They had no trouble scoring on us and other than Dwight, we didn't do much offensively."