Hawks handle Magic 116-93, extend home winning streak

The Atlanta Hawks hosted the Orlando Magic Thursday evening, closing out their last back-to-back of the 2020-21 season. The Magic, who are firmly out of the playoff race, are missing many familiar names due to both injuries and midseason trades.

Atlanta took home an easy 116-93 win, with Orlando putting up little fight at any point during the contest. The Hawks led by double-digits for most of the way, and the outcome was truly never in doubt.

It was a sluggish start on each side, with the Hawks leading 29-16 after the first despite poor shooting. Atlanta shot just 2-of-11 from three in the opening quarter, but the Magic were 2-of-12. Trae Young led Atlanta with eight first-quarter points.

Orlando actually started the second quarter on an 8-0 run getting within five before Atlanta could break their scoring drought.

The drought didn’t last long, however, as the Hawks outscored the Magic 32-17 following the run, and lead by 20 at half. Young and Bogdan Bogdanovic each had 16 points at the break. Clint Capela had six points and 13 rebounds in 17 first-half minutes.

Atlanta shot 52.2% from the floor in the second quarter and had just two turnovers in the first half. The Magic were 16-of-48 (33.3%) from the floor in the opening half and just 6-of-20 from three.

The second half was seemingly a formality, as the Hawks continued to beat Orlando soundly on each end of the floor. An 8-0 run in the middle of the third quarter but the Hawks up 83-55 with 4:43 reaming in the period. From there, the Hawks would maintain control and cruise to perhaps their easiest victory of the season.

Young finished with 18 points and seven assists, while Bogdanovic had 27 points and five dimes. Capela had 14 points and 14 rebounds, with John Collins adding 12 points and six rebounds in 20 minutes. Kevin Huerter had 14 points and six rebounds.

For Orlando, R.J. Hampton had 12 points, eight rebounds and five assists, while Cole Anthony had 12 points, seven assists and six rebounds in the loss. Wendell Carter Jr. had 12 points and 11 rebounds.

The Hawks will play their final game of the season Sunday, when they host the Houston Rockets. Stay tuned as the playoff picture is shaping up on the final weekend of the 2020-21 NBA regular season.