Fading Magic tip off five-game road trip at Hawks

The struggling Orlando Magic will attempt to discover some solutions away from house on Monday once they start a five-game highway journey in Atlanta in opposition to the Hawks, who’ve confirmed to be one of many NBA‘s finest groups in their very own constructing.

The Magic have misplaced two straight and have the worst file within the Jap Convention. Orlando endured a 20-0 drought within the first half on the way in which to dropping a 104-92 choice to the Washington Wizards on Saturday.

Atlanta ended its six-game shedding streak on Sunday by beating the Milwaukee Bucks 120-100 behind a season-high 42-point efficiency from Trae Younger.

Atlanta improved to 4-1 at house and has gained 11 straight house video games in opposition to Jap Convention opponents, tied for second-best in franchise historical past, and the longest such lively streak within the NBA, in keeping with Elias Sports activities. The franchise file is 15.

“It was good to be house after a tricky highway journey,” Atlanta ahead John Collins stated. “We have got to maintain it going.”

Younger had his finest all-around sport of the season in opposition to Milwaukee. He was 16-for-26 from the sphere and 8-for-13 on 3-pointers — matching his profession excessive — with 10 assists and eight rebounds. He was faraway from the sport with two minutes remaining, regardless of closing in on a triple-double. It was the fifth time Younger has scored 30-plus factors this season and the 67th time in his profession.

“We’ve a variety of proficient guys, particularly on offense,” Collins stated. “We have got to determine it out and keep collectively. … It is at all times good when can discover a good movement, get into a pleasant rhythm and get a win.”

Collins was troubled by foul hassle within the first half on Sunday however got here again to attain 16 of his 19 factors within the ultimate two quarters. It prolonged his stable stretch that noticed him common 19.5 factors and seven.3 rebounds on the four-game West Coast highway journey.

Orlando continues to rebuild with younger gamers. The Magic’s beginning lineup on opening night time was the youngest for any staff to start a season in NBA historical past courting again to when the league started monitoring starters in 1970-71.

Cole Anthony has led or shared Orlando’s scoring lead eight occasions and averages 19.5 factors, 6.9 rebounds and 5.2 assists. Atlanta native Wendell Carter Jr. averages 13.6 factors and 9.9 rebounds and has a team-high seven double-doubles.

“I believe we made a variety of bone-headed errors (in opposition to Washington),” Orlando’s Mo Bomba stated. “We did a greater job competing, however general there are such a lot of little issues that go into successful a sport that we did not do.”

Protection has been a problem for Orlando, which is now 2-9 when surrendering 100 or extra factors.

“We ended up getting some beauty however we have to step up and make photographs,” Orlando coach Jamahl Mosley stated.

This would be the fourth back-to-back for the Hawks this season. They’ve cut up one and dropped each ends of the opposite two. The Hawks gained all three video games in opposition to the Magic final season.

–Subject Stage Media