Paolo Banchero scored 25 points with six assists and five rebounds and the Orlando Magic bounced back from their play-in loss to the Philadelphia 76ers by thumping the Charlotte Hornets on Friday, 121-90.
The Magic will advance to the playoffs as the No. 8 seed, setting them up for a first-round series against the Eastern Conference leaders, the Detroit Pistons.
Charlotte, led by 23 points from LaMelo Ball, trailed for most of the contest. Its first and only lead was 5-4 two minutes into the opening quarter; the Magic defense helped the team enter the break up 31 after holding the Hornets to 31.7% shooting in the first half.