DENVER, Dec. 20 (Ticker) -- The Orlando Magic did not need Tracy McGrady to send the Denver Nuggets to their seventh consecutive loss, 89-80.

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McGrady, who leads the NBA in scoring at 29.3 points per game, sat out for the fourth time this season with a sore back. In his place, all five starters scored in double figures, led by Pat Garrity and Shawn Kemp with 17 points apiece.

"We gutted it out and got the win," said Orlando forward Grant Hill, who had 16 points and 10 rebounds. "Pat Garrity hit some shots and Mike Miller hit some threes. We are learning that we can win without scoring if we stick to our defensive principles."

The Nuggets led, 63-62, after three quarters, but never again after the Magic used an 8-0 run to take a 70-65 lead.

"I am proud of my basketball team," Denver coach Jeff Bzdelik said. "I am not going to tell you the things that other people tell me about this team. They leave it on the court. The talent isn't quite there yet. What can you do about that?"

Denver's still-to-emerge talent was evident in some missed chances down the stretch. With 4:52 left and the Nuggets down, 72-70, Rodney White missed a pair of free throws.

A little over a minute later, Denver trailed 75-72, when Donnell Harvey missed an open layup. Miller hit a transition 3-pointer to double the lead with 3:31 left.

Rookie point guard Junior Harrington spent the game in foul trouble, with three of his five fouls on the offensive end. Harrington committed five turnovers in 27 minutes.

"I told (the team) when you're rookies, you're not going to get a call," Bzdelik said. "You just accept it. The officials aren't going to give you a break. There's not much more you can do."

The Nuggets lost to the Magic for the 11th consecutive time and are 1-9 against the Eastern Conference this season.