The Orlando Magic defeated the Charlotte Hornets 121-90 on Friday in a do-or-die play-in game for the last available playoff spot in the East and will face the Detroit Pistons in the first round.
With their elimination, the Hornets are out of the playoffs for the tenth consecutive season, the worst streak in the NBA.
Magic sweeps mercilessly
Even so, Charlotte leaves with a good taste in its mouth after becoming one of the revelation teams of the season.
With one of the most attractive games in the league and with a rookie, Kon Knueppel, called to give them a lot of joy in the future.
This Friday, in Orlando, they were unrecognizable.
The Orlando Magic, who unlike the Hornets have left much more doubt throughout the season, displayed a great defensive and offensive intensity that nullified the play of LaMelo Ball and company.
In the first quarter, the Magic went on a 10-0 and 13-0 run that would be a harbinger of how the playoffs would go.
Total exhibition
On the brink of halftime, Orlando Magic reached a maximum lead of +35, with the Hornets completely collapsed and with no answer to the home team’s game.
Very solid in defense but without committing personal fouls. At halftime, the score was 68-37.
LaMelo Ball scored 21 points (of his 23) in a third quarter in which the Hornets tried to get into the game.
With two minutes left in the quarter they had cut their deficit to -23 and it looked like they might be able to put up a fight.
But Orlando responded with a demoralizing 8-0 run to close the quarter and seal the tie. There was no more.
Absolute dominance
Magic crushes without mercy
QuéOnnda.com
The Magic finished the game 42-of-84 (50% shooting from the field).
They won 64-28 in the paint, rebounded 49-34 and forced 20 Hornets turnovers.
They were led by Paolo Banchero with 25 points, 18 from Franz Wagner and 16 from Wendell Carter Jr.
Their defensive intensity held the Hornets to a poor 28-of-83 shooting from the field (33.7%).
Including 12 of 45 (26.7%) from the perimeter, one of Charlotte’s strengths, which had averaged 116 points per game this season.
The Magic will be in the playoffs for the third consecutive season, although they will face the Detroit Pistons, who closed the season as leaders of the East with fifteen more wins than Orlando.
With information from EFE
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