WASHINGTON, Nov 12: Michael Jordan said he shot so badly it was funny, but Gary Payton had the last laugh after notching 32 points and 15 assists in the Seattle SuperSonics’ 99-84 victory over the Washington Wizards Sunday.

Jordan was saying he missed open shots, but Payton and Desmond Mason could claim some credit for holding the 10-time scoring champion to just 16 points on a nightmarish 5-of-26 performance from the field.

Jordan missed his first 14 shots.

The points were a season low for Jordan in his third comeback. He finished with 12 rebounds and four assists as Washington shot a meagre 37 percent (29-of-78).

Payton had his fifth double-double in eight games and four other Sonics scored in double figures.

Brent Barry had 20 points, Rashard Lewis and Mason 14 apiece and Art Long collected 10 and 10 rebounds off the bench for the SuperSonics, who connected on 47 percent (38-of-81).

Seattle snapped a three-game losing streak despite playing without forward Vin Baker, who is sidelined with a bruised left knee.

It was the fourth straight loss for Washington, which was held to its second-lowest point total of the season.

Washington was led by reserve Richard Hamilton, who scored 23 points. Rookie Bobby Simmons contributed 13 and five rebounds in 21 minutes.

In Los Angeles, Shaquille O’Neal feasted on a new face and an old rival, collecting 38 points and 18 rebounds as the Lakers remained unbeaten with a 108-95 victory over his former team, the Orlando Magic.

Orlando started rookie Steven Hunter at center but O’Neal greeted him with a dunk and a layup in the first two minutes.

The Magic also tried using Patrick Ewing against O’Neal but the Laker center made 11-of-21 shots for 23 points in the first half.

Kobe Bryant scored 28 for Los Angeles (6-0). Bryant was hit in the nose just 4:04 into the game and was forced to exit but returned with guaze stuffed in his nostril.

Tracy McGrady led Orlando with 22 points and Grant Hill added 21, 13 rebounds and nine assists. McGrady made just 7-of-18 shots and did not have an assist.

In Denver, James Posey got some help in holding Vince Carter without a basket in the final period and the Nuggets pulled away for a 96-85 victory over the Toronto Raptors, who had their four-game winning streak snapped.

Carter was coming off a season-high 43 points in Saturday’s win at Utah and the All-Star had 20 points through three quarters in this one. But he managed just two free throws in the final quarter as Posey did a solid job of denying him the ball.

Guards Nick Van Exel and Avery Johnson scored 10 points each in the fourth.

Van Exel had 24 points and nine assists and Posey added 13 points and 14 rebounds. Johnson scored 12 points.

In Auburn Hills, Michigan, Bonzi Wells scored 30 points and Ruben Patterson came up with a pair of key late stops against Jerry Stackhouse as the Portland Trail Blazers posted their first road victory of the season, 100-98 over the Detroit Pistons.

Sunday’s results (home team in CAPS):

Seattle 99 WASHINGTON 84

Portland 100 DETROIT 98

DENVER 96 Toronto 85

LA LAKERS 108 Orlando 95

—Reuters