Trae Younger bounced again from a sluggish begin to rating 24 factors and De’Andre Hunter led a third-quarter surge that carried the Atlanta Hawks to a 132-103 rout of the Charlotte Hornets in an Japanese Convention play-in recreation Wednesday evening.
The Hawks, who completed ninth within the East after a stunning run to the convention ultimate a yr in the past, will journey to Cleveland to face the Cavaliers on Friday evening.
The winner claims the No. 8 seed within the East and can face the top-seeded Miami Warmth within the opening spherical of the playoffs.
The season is over for the Hornets, who have been overwhelmed within the 9-10 play-in recreation for the second yr in a row and haven’t made the playoffs since 2016.
All 5 Atlanta starters scored in double figures, as did Bogdan Bogdanovic off the bench. It was Hunter who got here up massive within the decisive third interval, bursting out with 16 factors after being held to three within the first half.
Hunter completed with 22 factors, whereas Danilo Gallinari added 18 and Clint Capela 15. Kevin Huerter and Bogdanovic chipped in with 13 apiece.
The Hornets closed the common season sturdy and felt like that they had a great probability to win a few play-in video games on the highway. However these hopes got here crashing down in opposition to their I-85 rival.
LaMelo Ball led with 26 factors however made solely 7 of 25 pictures.
The Hawks led by as many as 13 within the first half earlier than settling for a 60-52 benefit on the break. Charlotte had a little bit of momentum within the closing minutes of the half, but it surely certain didn’t carry over to the third.
The Hawks outscored the Hornets 42-24 throughout that 12-minute barrage, hitting 16 of 24 pictures, and led 102-76 heading to the ultimate interval.
With the Hornets doubling at each alternative, Younger made just one of 9 pictures within the opening quarter and three of 13 within the first half.
However his teammates discovered loads of open seems and made the Hornets pay dearly.
Charlotte ought to’ve identified what sort of evening it might be on their technique to State Farm Enviornment.
The Hornets’ chartered bus was blocked by a freight prepare that stopped on a crossing close to the downtown sports activities advanced. The bus needed to flip round and take a unique path to the world, delaying Charlotte’s arrival for pregame warmups.
It didn’t get a lot better as soon as the sport tipped off.
The Hornets’ frustration boiled over with about 6 1/2 minutes to go when Miles Bridges complained so vehemently a couple of goaltending name that he picked up two fast technicals and was ejected.
Pelicans 113, Spurs 103
NEW ORLEANS — CJ McCollum scored 27 of his 32 factors within the first half, Brandon Ingram shook foul bother so as to add 27 factors and the New Orleans Pelicans beat the San Antonio Spurs 113-103 on Wednesday evening in a Western Convention play-in recreation.
The Pelicans, who completed ninth within the West after beginning the season 3-16, will play on the Los Angeles Clippers on Friday evening, with the winner getting the eighth seed and a spot in opposition to the top-seeded Phoenix Suns within the first spherical. New Orleans beat Los Angeles in three of 4 conferences this season.
The Pelicans appeared headed to a rout, main 96-75, with 10:39 left, however the Tenth-seeded Spurs used a 16-1 run over the following 5:25 to chop it to 97-91. The Pelicans missed seven consecutive pictures throughout the run.
Ingram a pair of soppy jumpers within the lane and Jonas Valanciunas added a brief jumper to out New Orleans again on high, 103-91. Valaciunas had 22 factors and 14 rebounds.
Devin Vassell led San Antonio with 23 factors. Dejounte Murray had 16 factors on 5-of-19 taking pictures.
After Ingram went to the bench with three fouls 5:17 earlier than halftime, McCollum carried the Pelicans offensively. In a 14-4 run over the ultimate 3:36 of the half, McCollum made two 3-pointers and pierced the San Antonio protection for 2 finger-roll layups on sturdy drives into the lane as New Orleans constructed a 61-50 lead.
McCollum made 10 of his first 12 pictures, together with 2 of three from lengthy vary, regardless of drawing constant double groups.
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