Orlando becomes third team to win playoff spot
Güncelleme Tarihi:
AP
Oluşturulma Tarihi: Mart 13, 2009 00:00
ORLANDO, Florida - Orlando Magic follows the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Boston Celtics to become the third Eastern Conference team to clinch a playoff berth in the NBA. The Magic wins its spot with a comfortable win over the Chicago Bulls in a game where the bench players made the difference
The Orlando Magic became the third Eastern Conference team to clinch an NBA playoff spot by beating the Chicago Bulls 107-79 with a big boost from the bench on Wednesday.
Securing a playoff berth has been a formality for more than a month for the Magic. And it will almost surely lock up a second consecutive Southeast Division title in the next few weeks, having started the day with a 10 and a half game lead over Atlanta.
"Not that it's been in doubt for any time, but I'm one of those until you do it, it's not done,'' Magic coach Stan Van Gundy was quoted as saying on the NBA’s official Web site. "The first goal on our board. That part is done. You know you're going to be playing when the season is done. Quite honestly, it's a good feeling.''
Tony Battie had 18 points and eight rebounds, J.J. Redick had 13 points, and Marcin Gortat added 13 points and 15 rebounds in reserve for the Magic, who has won five of its last six games.
"It was a strong night for the bigs,'' said the 33-year old Battie.
John Salmons had 18 points and eight rebounds, and Brad Miller added 11 points for Chicago, which shot a mere 31.4 percent from the floor and had 18 turnovers.
"There are nights like that,'' Bulls guard Ben Gordon said. "It is kind of bizarre and you can't get anything going.''
Contrarily, it was all festive for Orlando. On one play during the spurt, Salmons dived into the first row trying to save the ball, tumbling over a few fans sitting courtside. Magic guard Rafer Alston helped one fan out after the play by picking up his popcorn - then Alston ate a handful, smiled and hustled down court.
"Got to have fun with the fans,'' Alston said.
Magic’s Turkish forward Hidayet "Hedo" Türkoğlu had to watch his team from the stands, as he missed the game with a lower foot injury he suffered in the team's loss at Detroit Pistons on Monday. He is day to day and Frenchmanc Mickael Pietrus started in his place.
Meanwhile, Chris Paul posted a triple-double with 30 points, 13 assists and 10 rebounds as the New Orleans Hornets dominated the Washington Wizards in the third quarter en route to a 109-98 win.
"He's not only a great basketball player, he's a very humble young man," Hornets coach Byron Scott said. "If you ever met his mother and father, you would understand why. A very respectful young man on and off the court. He's a coach's dream. I couldn't ask for a better player to have to lead our team than Chris Paul."
The Hornets, who had their season-high, seven-game winning streak snapped Monday, faced a one-point deficit at intermission, after which they applied the pressure. New Orleans took the lead for good, 57-55, on Paul's lay-up with 6:48 left.
Wade seals game
At Miami, Dwyane Wade scored 32 points, including the game-sealing 3-pointer with 34 seconds left, as the Miami Heat held on to beat Boston Celtics 107-99.
Jamario Moon scored 13 points and grabbed eight rebounds for Miami, which stayed one and a half game behind Atlanta for fourth place in the Eastern Conference. Jermaine O'Neal scored 12 for the Heat.
Ray Allen hit his first six shots and finished with 27 for Boston, which fell two games behind Cleveland for the East's best record.
Leon Powe had 23 points and 13 rebounds for the defending champion, who has lost two straight.
Elsewhere, Joe Johnson scored 31 points to help the Atlanta Hawks end the Utah Jazz’s 12-game winning streak with a 100-93 victory. This was the third straight win by the Hawks.
Point guard Deron Williams led the Jazz with 20 points and nine assists, while the Turkish center Mehmet Okur had a double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds.
Securing a playoff berth has been a formality for more than a month for the Magic. And it will almost surely lock up a second consecutive Southeast Division title in the next few weeks, having started the day with a 10 and a half game lead over Atlanta.
"Not that it's been in doubt for any time, but I'm one of those until you do it, it's not done,'' Magic coach Stan Van Gundy was quoted as saying on the NBA’s official Web site. "The first goal on our board. That part is done. You know you're going to be playing when the season is done. Quite honestly, it's a good feeling.''
Tony Battie had 18 points and eight rebounds, J.J. Redick had 13 points, and Marcin Gortat added 13 points and 15 rebounds in reserve for the Magic, who has won five of its last six games.
"It was a strong night for the bigs,'' said the 33-year old Battie.
John Salmons had 18 points and eight rebounds, and Brad Miller added 11 points for Chicago, which shot a mere 31.4 percent from the floor and had 18 turnovers.
"There are nights like that,'' Bulls guard Ben Gordon said. "It is kind of bizarre and you can't get anything going.''
Contrarily, it was all festive for Orlando. On one play during the spurt, Salmons dived into the first row trying to save the ball, tumbling over a few fans sitting courtside. Magic guard Rafer Alston helped one fan out after the play by picking up his popcorn - then Alston ate a handful, smiled and hustled down court.
"Got to have fun with the fans,'' Alston said.
Magic’s Turkish forward Hidayet "Hedo" Türkoğlu had to watch his team from the stands, as he missed the game with a lower foot injury he suffered in the team's loss at Detroit Pistons on Monday. He is day to day and Frenchmanc Mickael Pietrus started in his place.
Meanwhile, Chris Paul posted a triple-double with 30 points, 13 assists and 10 rebounds as the New Orleans Hornets dominated the Washington Wizards in the third quarter en route to a 109-98 win.
"He's not only a great basketball player, he's a very humble young man," Hornets coach Byron Scott said. "If you ever met his mother and father, you would understand why. A very respectful young man on and off the court. He's a coach's dream. I couldn't ask for a better player to have to lead our team than Chris Paul."
The Hornets, who had their season-high, seven-game winning streak snapped Monday, faced a one-point deficit at intermission, after which they applied the pressure. New Orleans took the lead for good, 57-55, on Paul's lay-up with 6:48 left.
Wade seals game
At Miami, Dwyane Wade scored 32 points, including the game-sealing 3-pointer with 34 seconds left, as the Miami Heat held on to beat Boston Celtics 107-99.
Jamario Moon scored 13 points and grabbed eight rebounds for Miami, which stayed one and a half game behind Atlanta for fourth place in the Eastern Conference. Jermaine O'Neal scored 12 for the Heat.
Ray Allen hit his first six shots and finished with 27 for Boston, which fell two games behind Cleveland for the East's best record.
Leon Powe had 23 points and 13 rebounds for the defending champion, who has lost two straight.
Elsewhere, Joe Johnson scored 31 points to help the Atlanta Hawks end the Utah Jazz’s 12-game winning streak with a 100-93 victory. This was the third straight win by the Hawks.
Point guard Deron Williams led the Jazz with 20 points and nine assists, while the Turkish center Mehmet Okur had a double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds.