Paolo Banchero, Magic Beat Trae, Hawks in NBA Play-in as Fans Preview Celtics Matchup
The No. 2 vs. No. 7 matchup in the Eastern Conference is set.
The Orlando Magic downed the Atlanta Hawks 120-95 in the play-in tournament on Tuesday and will now have a first-round matchup against the defending champion Boston Celtics.
It was a win-by-committee kind of night for Orlando. Magic star Paolo Banchero posted 19 points, nine rebounds and seven assists with the win, Wendell Carter Jr. added 19 points and Anthony Black posted 16. Franz Wagner was also in double digits with 13 points and 13 rebounds.
Cole Anthony was the star of the night, putting up 26 points off the bench, most of which came in the second half as he helped seal the win.
After a dominant second half for the Magic, fans hyped the matchup between Orlando and Boston in the first round.
Atlanta's Trae Young put forth a valiant effort with 28 points before being ejected in the fourth quarter, but it wasn't enough to keep his team in the game. The Hawks will now have a matchup against the winner of Miami vs. Chicago.
As good as the Magic played on Tuesday, getting a series win over the Celtics would be a massive upset. Boston has been just as dominant as it was a season ago and is looking to defend its 18th title.
Still, Orlando has plenty of talent and a strong defense, which should give it enough to at least be competitive in the first round.
