Orlando Magic Defeat Atlanta Hawks in Crucial Playoff Battle
Orlando, FL – The Orlando Magic (39-40) secured a vital 119-112 victory over the Atlanta Hawks (37-42) on Tuesday, April 8th, as both teams fiercely compete for playoff positioning and the top spot in the NBA’s Southeast Division.
The Magic entered the contest well-rested, having enjoyed four days off since their 109-97 win against the Washington Wizards on Thursday.
Orlando has established itself as a defensive force, leading the NBA by allowing just 105.6 points per game and holding opponents to a mere 46.8% shooting from the field.
Meanwhile, the Hawks are grappling with a significant list of injuries, including season-ending ailments to Larry Nance Jr. (knee) and Kobe Bufkin (shoulder), as well as Clint Capela being sidelined with a hand injury.
Their 119-112 triumph on Tuesday marked arguably their most important win of the season to date. Not only did it extend their overall winning streak to three games, but it also came against the Atlanta Hawks, a direct rival in the standings.
“We knew it was a big game coming in with the tiebreaker and where the standings are at,” commented Magic forward Paolo Banchero during his post-game interview. “So, we had to treat it like a playoff game.”
Orlando’s offensive efficiency was the key to their success on Tuesday night. The Magic shot an impressive 50% from the field and a strong 41% from beyond the arc. Notably, they maintained a 50% 3-point shooting percentage heading into the fourth quarter.
Paolo Banchero continued his stellar offensive output, leading all scorers with 33 points and adding 11 rebounds to complete a double-double.
Franz Wagner also had a significant contribution, posting 22 points, six rebounds, and six assists. This marked the 11th consecutive game in which both Banchero and Wagner have scored 20 or more points, setting a new franchise record for the most consecutive games a Magic duo has achieved this feat.
Wendell Carter Jr. delivered a strong performance as well, contributing 17 points, nine rebounds, and three blocked shots. Anthony Black provided a solid defensive presence during his time on the court and led the bench in scoring with eight points.
Orlando’s defense was particularly impactful in the second quarter, stifling the Hawks’ offense and forcing three of their 18 total turnovers. This defensive effort allowed the Magic to outscore Atlanta by 10 points in the second period.
Interestingly, the Hawks led the Magic in every quarter except the pivotal second, highlighting the significance of that quarter’s performance in securing the Orlando victory.
Onyeka Okongwu matched his career high with an impressive 30 points to go along with 14 rebounds for the Hawks, while Trae Young contributed 28 points and 10 assists.
The Magic now hold a two-game lead over the Hawks for seventh place in the Eastern Conference and possess a 2-1 advantage in their regular-season series against their Southeast Division opponent. Adding to the positive news for Orlando, the Chicago Bulls, who currently sit in ninth place, suffered a loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers, moving them three games behind the Magic. The Miami Heat were idle and also remain three games back of seventh.
By defeating Chicago, Cleveland clinched the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference. The implications of this for the Boston Celtics, the projected No. 2 seed and the Magic’s next opponent (Wednesday at 7 p.m.), remain to be seen. The winner of the No. 7 versus No. 8 play-in game will face Boston in the first round of the playoffs, while the loser will host the winner of the No. 9 versus No. 10 game for the opportunity to play the Cavaliers in the opening round.
