ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Cole Anthony got here off the bench with 26 factors and 6 assists to guide the Orlando Magic to a 120-95 win over the Atlanta Hawks on Tuesday night time within the first recreation of the Play-In Match.
Paolo Banchero had 17 factors, 9 rebounds and 7 assists for the Magic, and Wendell Carter Jr. added 19 factors and 7 rebounds. Anthony Black scored 16 factors on 6-of-7 capturing off the bench within the Magic’s first look in a play-in recreation.
Incomes the Japanese Convention’s seventh seed after a 41-41 common season, the Magic will begin their first-round playoff sequence at Boston on Sunday. Orlando cut up its 4 video games towards the defending NBA champs this season, however the Celtics rested their high six gamers in a loss at Orlando final week.
“It’s a great opportunity to play against the best team in the league, and they’re the champs still until somebody beats ’em,” stated Magic coach Jamahl Mosley. “What they present is a lot of challenges, and we have to try to find a way to figure that out.”
Trae Younger led the Hawks with 28 factors and 6 assists earlier than getting two technical fouls and an computerized ejection with 4:47 left within the recreation.
“I thought we did a good job on Paolo and Franz (Wagner),” stated Hawks coach Quin Snyder, “and they had some other players who really stepped up and made plays.”
The Hawks, who’ve reached the playoffs by the play-in route in two of the final three seasons, will play at house Friday night time for the eighth spot towards the winner of Wednesday night time’s recreation at Chicago between the Bulls and the Miami Warmth.
Banchero and Black produced many of the offense and the Hawks scored simply two factors within the ultimate 6 minutes of the primary quarter, and the Magic led by as many as 22 late within the first half.
The Hawks reduce the hole to a few and had an opportunity to tied the sport after they turned it over with 2:36 left within the third quarter.
“They went on their own run and we weathered the storm. We didn’t let them back in the game from that point on,” Anthony stated. “We got stops, we pushed the pace and we held a really good offensive team to 90 points.”
Anthony, who averaged 9.4 factors in an injury-plagued season, made 10-of-17 pictures together with 4 -of-9 3-pointers.
