ORLANDO, Florida - The Orlando Mac, who lost their sixth straight National Basketball Association game on Wednesday, have sacked coach Johnny Davis and named Chris Jent interim coach.
Including the 110-102 loss at the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday, the Magic have dropped nine of their last 12 games to fall to 31-33.
While the Magic own the same record as the Philadelphia 76ers, who are currently seeded eighth in the Eastern Conference playoff picture, they on the outside looking in based on a worse conference record.
"We work in a bottom line business," Magic general manager John Weisbrod said. "It is our responsibility to do everything possible to create the best opportunity for success."
Davis took over for Doc Rivers early last season and went 51-84 with Orlando, which hired him as an assistant in 1999. Including one season at the helm in Philadelphia, Davis owns a 73-144 career mark.
Jent, who also has a history with the 76ers, was hired as an assistant by the Magic on August 12 after serving in a similar role with Philadelphia last season. He becomes the seventh coach in franchise history.
Jent played two seasons in the NBA with the Houston Rockets and New York Knicks following a standout collegiate career at Ohio State. He was a member of the Rockets' NBA championship team in 1993-94.
After posting a dismal 21-61 record last season, the Magic turned things around early this season on the heels of a blockbuster trade with the Rockets in July.
In a seven-player deal involving superstar guard Tracy McGrady, who led the Magic in scoring four straight seasons, Orlando acquired guards Steve Francis and Cuttino Mobley.
With Francis, Mobley a rejuvenated Grant Hill and top pick Dwight Howard, the Magic got off to a 14-9 start.
But since trading Mobley to Sacramento for veteran guard-forward Doug Christie in January, Orlando have gone just 13-19 and jeopardized their playoff hopes.
03/17/2005 22:51 GMT