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The Magic Found the Formula for Making the Playoffs. For Them, It Was Called Desperation
Paolo Banchero scored 25 points as Orlando built a 35-point first-half lead and earned its first playoff series since 2019.
- On Friday, the Orlando Magic defeated the Charlotte Hornets 121-90 in the NBA play-in tournament, securing a first-round playoff matchup against the top-seeded Detroit Pistons.
- Orlando built a 31-point halftime lead, limiting Charlotte to 16 points in the opening quarter and asserting dominance early through forced turnovers and defensive intensity.
- Paolo Banchero led the offense with 25 points as the Magic dominated the paint with a balanced attack, forcing multiple shot clock violations and creating easy scoring opportunities.
- This victory propels the franchise into their first playoff round since 2010, ending a streak of two consecutive first-round exits in the previous two postseasons.
- The best-of-seven series against the Pistons tips off Sunday, April 19, 2026, at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, where the top seed awaits.
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41 Articles
41 Articles
The Bakersfield Californian+11 Reposted by 11 other sources
The Magic found the formula for making the playoffs. For them, it was called desperation
ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — The Orlando Magic found their winning formula. Desperation works.
·Bakersfield, United States
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Paolo Banchero scored 25 points and the Orlando Magic built an advantage of 35 units in the first half, heading for a 121-90 beating over the Charlotte Hornets on Friday at a decisive play-in match.
·Los Angeles, United States
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Magic crush Hornets in play-in to set up date with Pistons in first round of playoffs
Paolo Banchero scored 25 points and the Orlando Magic built a 35-point lead in the first half on the way to a 121-90 rout of Charlotte Hornets in a play-in tournament game on Friday night and advanced to a first-round playoff matchup against the Detroit Pistons.
·New York, United States
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Total News Sources41
Leaning Left16Leaning Right2Center13Last UpdatedBias Distribution52% Left
Bias Distribution
- 52% of the sources lean Left
52% Left
L 52%
C 42%
Factuality
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