Orlando Magic secured their spot in the NBA playoffs with a resounding 120-95 victory over the Atlanta Hawks in the first play-in tournament game.
Cole Anthony led the offense off the bench
Coming off the bench, Cole Anthony was the key figure for Orlando, scoring 26 points and dishing out six assists. Paolo Banchero contributed 17 points, nine rebounds, and seven assists, while Wendell Carter Jr. added 19 points and seven rebounds. Anthony Black, also off the bench, scored 16 points with outstanding shooting efficiency.
“It was a fun game, a great game, a unique challenge,” Banchero commented.
Paolo Banchero
The Magic, who secured the seventh position in the Eastern Conference after a regular season of 41-41, will face the Boston Celtics in the first round of the playoffs, starting Sunday in Boston. Magic coach Jamahl Mosley highlighted the importance of this matchup.
“It’s a great opportunity to play against the best team in the league, and they are still the champions until someone beats them. They present many challenges, and we have to try to find a way to solve it,” Mosley said.
Jamahl Mosley
The Hawks will seek another opportunity at home
Trae Young led the Hawks with 28 points and six assists before being ejected for two technical fouls. Hawks coach Quin Snyder acknowledged Orlando’s good performance.
“I think we did a good job with Paolo and Franz Wagner, and they had other players who really stepped up and made plays,” Snyder said.
Quin Snyder
The Hawks, who have reached the playoffs via the play-in in two of the last three seasons, will play at home on Friday for a chance at the eighth seed against the winner of the game between the Chicago Bulls and the Miami Heat.
Anthony, who had a season marked by injuries, scored 10 of 17 shots, including 4 of 9 three-pointers.
