Magic rout Hornets as final NBA playoff spots decided

LOS ANGELES, United States — The Orlando Magic thrashed the Charlotte Hornets 121-90 to keep their season alive as the NBA playoffs' final teams were determined Friday (Saturday, Manila time). 

Paolo Banchero top-scored with 25 points to set up a daunting first-round playoff series for the Magic against the Eastern Conference top-seeded Detroit Pistons.

It was Orlando's last chance to qualify for the post-season via the play-in tournament, having failed at their first attempt against the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday.

The Golden State Warriors take on the Phoenix Suns later Friday for the Western Conference's No. 8 seed, after which the full NBA playoff schedule will be finalized.

A physical, tough Magic outfit outmuscled the youthful Hornets from the tip-off of the win-or-go-home game in front of a sell-out 19,000 home crowd at Orlando's Kia Canter.

Banchero bulldozed Charlotte's defense, scoring 12 in the first quarter alone.

Having never trailed by more than a single point, Orlando soon stretched comfortably clear, establishing a giant 35-point lead shortly before half-time.

Recovering from a sluggish start, LaMelo Bell -- the hero of the Hornets' first play-in game against Miami on Tuesday -- exploded after the break.

He poured in 21 points in the third quarter alone as he tried to single-handedly extend Charlotte's season.

But Orlando's lead never dipped below 20 points, as the Magic eased to a win against a Charlotte side that had finished the regular season in strong form.

Victory ensured the Magic have reached the playoffs for the third straight season, while the Hornets' decade-long wait goes on.

The NBA playoffs begin Saturday (Sunday in Manila).