THE Orlando Magic secured the seventh seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs after they crushed the Atlanta Hawks, 120-95, at the start of the NBA Play-In Tournament on Wednesday (Philippine time), April 16.

The victory enabled the Magic to arrange a best-of-seven first-round playoff series against the second seed Boston Celtics.

Orlando and Boston split their four-game regular season series.

Despite the loss, the Hawks’ campaign isn’t done yet as they will still play the winner in the do-or-die duel between the Miami Heat and Chicago Bulls on Thursday, April 17.

Atlanta is trekking a familiar route as it has made it to the playoffs through the play-in in two of the last three seasons.

Cole Anthony was a big spark for the Magic, coming off the bench to produce 26 points and six assists. Paolo Banchero had 17 points, nine rebounds and seven assists for the Magic, and Wendell Carter Jr. added 19 points and seven rebounds.

Trae Young led the Hawks with 28 points and six assists but exited prematurely after earning technical fouls with 4:47 left in the game.

Young was tossed while the Hawks were staring at a huge 87-107 deficit.(CCM)

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