In a thrilling matchup during the NBA Play-In Tournament, the Orlando Magic showcased their strength with a commanding 120-95 victory over the Atlanta Hawks on Tuesday night. This win marks a significant achievement for the Magic as it represents their inaugural appearance in a play-in game.
Cole Anthony emerged as the standout player for the Magic, contributing an impressive 26 points and six assists after coming off the bench. His performance was vital to Orlando's success, demonstrating his ability to score efficiently under pressure. Anthony's shooting was particularly noteworthy, as he made 10 of 17 attempts from the field, including 4 of 9 from beyond the arc.
Paolo Banchero, the Magic's promising rookie, also played a pivotal role in the game, finishing with 17 points, nine rebounds, and seven assists. His all-around performance helped maintain the momentum for Orlando. Additionally, Wendell Carter Jr. added 19 points and seven rebounds, further solidifying the Magic's offensive front.
The depth of the Magic's bench was on full display with Anthony Black contributing 16 points on an impressive 6-of-7 shooting. The bench's strong performance was instrumental in the Magic's ability to dominate the game, particularly as the Hawks struggled to find their rhythm.
On the opposing side, Trae Young led the Hawks with 28 points and six assists. However, his impact was cut short when he received two technical fouls and was ejected with 4:47 remaining in the game. This pivotal moment significantly hindered the Hawks’ chances of mounting a comeback.
With this victory, the Orlando Magic secured the seventh seed in the Eastern Conference after finishing the regular season with a balanced 41-41 record. They are set to commence their first-round playoff series against the Boston Celtics on Sunday. Meanwhile, the Hawks will seek redemption in their next game as they prepare to face off against the winner of the Chicago Bulls vs. Miami Heat matchup for the eighth playoff spot on Friday night.
The Magic's ability to produce points and maintain defensive pressure was evident, especially as the Hawks could only muster two points in the final six minutes of the first quarter. The game highlighted the importance of bench depth and strategic play, setting the stage for the upcoming playoff battles.
As the NBA postseason approaches, fans can look forward to more exciting matchups, with the Orlando Magic poised to make a statement in their playoff journey.
