Second victory in a row for the Magic, who dominated the Hawks in Atlanta 130-120 to come back to just 0.5 game of the Nets with a record of 26-32. Their lead is now 4.5 games over the 9th Wizards, who have just beaten Brooklyn.
The man of the match is none other thanEvan Fournier, who signs 28 points at 11/18 including 2/7 at 3-pts, 4 rebounds, 5 assists and 2 steals, well helped by Aaron Gordon (25 points at 9/14 including 3/4 at 3-pts, 10 rebounds, 6 assists and 3 blocks, Nikola Vucevic (17 points at 8/15 and 12 rebounds) or In Bamba (15 points at 3/4 at 3-pts and 10 rebounds). The Floridians shoot at 49% including a good 14/32 from afar, 13 offensive rebounds and only 8 lost balls, the recipe for success. The Hawks, less successful and despite a great duo Bring young (37 points at 10/27 including 4/12 at 3-pts and 11 assists) – John Collins (26 points at 11/19 including 3/5 from far and 7 rebounds), ended up giving in after the break.
The first half was very balanced, each team taking the lead in turn until the start of the 3rd. In front of 75-68 thanks to Young, Collins and Huerter, Atlanta conceded a scathing 29-9 under the impetus of an untenable Gordon! He planted 18 points at 6/8 in the quarter. Orlando started the last 12 minutes with an 8-point lead and held on until the end despite several returns to 4 points from the premises thanks to a great Evan Fournier, author of 14 points in the quarter and capital shots.
–
