Magic crush Hornets in record-setting play-in, clinch East’s No. 8 seed
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ORLANDO — Paolo Banchero poured in 25 points as the Orlando Magic overwhelmed the Charlotte Hornets 121-90 on Friday night, earning the Eastern Conference’s final playoff spot and a first-round date with the Detroit Pistons.
The 31-point margin is the largest ever in an NBA play-in game, according to ESPN Research. Orlando will open the best-of-seven series Sunday in Detroit.
The Magic seized control immediately, racing to a 27-10 start and stretching the gap to 68-33 late in the first half. The 35-point first-half advantage and 31-point halftime lead both set play-in tournament records.
Balanced attack fuels rout
Franz Wagner finished with 18 points, seven rebounds and six assists, Wendell Carter Jr. scored 16 on 6-for-7 shooting, Desmond Bane added 13 and Jalen Suggs chipped in 12. Orlando shot 50% from the field and won the rebounding battle 49-34.
Hornets never threaten
LaMelo Ball, whom the NBA said should have been ejected for a flagrant foul in Tuesday’s win over Miami, led Charlotte with 23 points — 21 of them in the third quarter when the outcome was already decided. Miles Bridges had 15, rookie Brandon Miller 14 and Kon Knueppel 11 as the Hornets shot just 34%.
Charlotte has now missed the postseason in 10 consecutive years, the league’s longest active drought. Bridges, meanwhile, remains the active leader in games played without a playoff appearance.
Road ahead
Orlando, bounced in the first round in each of the past two seasons and without a series victory since 2010, split the regular-season series 2-2 with Detroit. The Hornets had taken the last three regular-season meetings against the Magic.
Source: ESPN
