Orlando Magic crush Charlotte Hornets 121-90 to secure playoff spot
The Orlando Magic secured the Eastern Conference’s eighth seed by dismantling the Charlotte Hornets 121-90 in Friday’s play-in tournament, setting up a first-round playoff clash with the Detroit Pistons.
Paolo Banchero led the charge with 25 points as the Florida-based franchise built an unassailable 35-point lead before half-time.
The 31-point demolition sets a new NBA record for the largest margin of victory by any team in a play-in game.
Record-breaking dominance
Wendell Carter Jr contributed 10 points to an explosive first-quarter performance that left the visitors trailing 38-16.
Charlotte struggled immensely in the opening period, shooting just five for 20 from the floor while committing six costly turnovers.
Star point guard LaMelo Ball endured a frustrating opening half, going scoreless and heading to the bench with three fouls early in the second quarter.
The dynamic playmaker eventually found his rhythm to score 21 of his 23 points in the third quarter, but the contest was already well beyond reach.
Ending the playoff drought
The comfortable victory means Orlando will immediately travel to Michigan to begin their best-of-seven series against Detroit on Sunday.
They will be desperate to break their recent postseason curse, having suffered first-round exits in each of their past two campaigns.
The franchise is searching for its first playoff series victory since 2010, when they reached the Eastern Conference Finals.
Meanwhile, the heavy defeat extends a miserable run for the eliminated Hornets, who had won the last three regular-season meetings between the sides but have now failed to reach the playoffs since 2016.
