04/10/26 09:37:00
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04/10 21:36 CDT Wagner scores 25 as Magic beat Bulls 127-103 and move into
sixth-place tie in the East with Toronto
Wagner scores 25 as Magic beat Bulls 127-103 and move into sixth-place tie in
the East with Toronto
By ANDREW SELIGMAN
AP Sports Writer
CHICAGO (AP) --- Franz Wagner scored 25 points, Jamal Cain added 20 and the
Orlando Magic remained in the running to avoid the play-in tournament by
beating the Chicago Bulls 127-103 on Friday night.
Orlando's fifth straight win, combined with Toronto's loss to New York, moved
the Magic (45-36) into a tie with the Raptors for sixth place in the Eastern
Conference with one game remaining.
Paolo Banchero chipped in with 14 points, nine rebounds and seven assists.
Jalen Suggs scored all 12 of his points and hit four 3-pointers in the third
quarter, helping the Magic break open the game.
Tre Jones scored 23 points for Chicago (31-50), which hit the 50-loss mark for
the first time since the 2018-19 team finished 22-60 under Fred Hoiberg and Jim
Boylen. The Bulls are looking for new leadership after firing executive vice
president of basketball operations Arturas Karnisovas and general manager Marc
Eversley on Monday. They could also be in the market for a new coach if Billy
Donovan opts to step down after six seasons.
Leonard Miller had 15 points and seven rebounds. Matas Buzelis scored 14 after
missing three games because of an illness. Josh Giddey missed his fourth
straight game because of a strained left hamstring, and Donovan said he will
not play in the season-finale at Dallas on Sunday.
Wagner scored 14 points in the first half as the Magic grabbed a 64-53 lead.
Suggs perked up in the third, hitting three 3s in a span of 2:49. The third one
made it 80-61 with 7:10 left in the quarter.
Up next
Magic: Close the regular season at Boston on Sunday.
Bulls: Finish the season at Dallas on Sunday. -__
AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA
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