Magic handle Hornets in play-in, will face Pistons in first round of playoffs

ORLANDO, Fla. — Magic coach Jamahl Mosley and multiple players made it clear at shootaround Friday morning that Orlando wanted to set a physical tone from the jump in a win-or-go-home NBA play-in game against the Hornets inside Kia Center.

Facing elimination, the Magic steamrolled the Hornets and clinched their spot in the NBA playoffs for the third year in a row.

Playing in front of a national TV audience on Amazon’s Prime Video and a rowdy fan base inside its home arena, Orlando smothered Charlotte in a 121-90 victory.

With the win, the Magic advance to the playoffs as the No. 8 seed in the East and will open their best-of-seven first-round series against the top-seeded Pistons on Sunday at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit. Tipoff is set for 6:30 p.m. on NBC and Peacock.

Behind a combined 84 points from its starting lineup — Paolo Banchero (25), Franz Wagner (18), Wendell Carter Jr. (16), Desmond Bane (13) and Jalen Suggs (12) — Orlando dominated the paint 64-28 and fast-break points 22-7 over the Hornets.

The Magic turned up the heat on the defensive end of the floor by scoring 26 points off 20 Charlotte turnovers and holding the Hornets to just 33.7% shooting from the floor.

With the loss, an otherwise encouraging season for a young Charlotte squad (44-38) ends in the play-in while the Magic (45-37) extend their year into the first round of the playoffs.

Strong start

Banchero penetrated the paint early and often and didn’t settle on the offensive end of the floor. He pieced together a 12-point first quarter and his first 3-pointer of the night put the Magic ahead by 17 points with under four minutes left in the opening period.

Carter made his first four shots from the field and reached double figures after one quarter.

But it was Orlando’s defensive effort that knocked Charlotte off its fast-paced rhythm. Orlando scored 11 points off six Charlotte turnovers and led 38-16 after one frame.

The Magic kept it up on the defensive end, scoring 22 points off 14 Charlotte turnovers in the first half and leading 68-37 at the break.

Suggs’ impact

Suggs responded to a four-point first quarter by knocking down two 3-pointers late in the second quarter. He flew above the rim and slammed down the ball off a lob from Wagner to help grow Orlando’s lead to 32 points at the 2:15 mark of the second period.

Suggs, however, found himself in foul trouble in the third quarter when a successful challenge by Charlotte led to his fifth foul less than four minutes into the second half. He fouled out of the game at the 11:22 mark of the fourth quarter.

Despite the fouls, Suggs made plays for his teammates on both ends, finishing with five rebounds and six assists in 22 minutes.

Containing Charlotte from 3

The Hornets finished the regular season leading the league in 3-pointers made per game (16.4) and were third in 3-point percentage (37.8%).

Orlando made a concerted effort to slow down Charlotte from distance early as their Southeast Division foe shot 6 for 21 (28.6%) from 3-point range in the first half.

Orlando made timely 3-pointers and was 8 for 27 (29.6%) for the game. More importantly, the Hornets finished well below their season average, shooting just 26.7% (12 for 45) from distance.

Bench boost

Whether it was a dunk late in the third quarter from Jamal Cain or four key blocks from Goga Bitadze, Orlando’s reserves delivered in more ways than one.

Cain scored an efficient nine points on 3-for-3 shooting from the floor with three free throws and Bitadze added seven points, four rebounds and two assists.

With help from Anthony Black (7 points), Tristan da Silva (5) and others, Orlando’s bench outscored Charlotte 37-25.