Hornets top Magic 122-112, inch closer to play-in tournament

<p>CHARLOTTE, N.C. &mdash; Terry Rozier scored 28 points, LaMelo Ball added 27 points and the Charlotte Hornets inched closer to securing a spot in the play-in tournament with a 122-112 win over the Orlando Magic on Friday night.</p>
<p>The Hornets needed a win and a loss by Chicago to Boston to clinch a berth, but the Bulls beat the Celtics 121-99. Charlotte can clinch a spot in the play-in tournament with a win Sunday against New Orleans.</p>
<p>P.J. Washington had another strong shooting night and finished with 23 points and nine rebounds, while Bismack Biyombo had 11 points and 11 rebounds as Charlotte (33-34) bounced back from a 21-point drubbing by the Bulls on Thursday night.</p>
<p>Dwayne Bacon tied a career high with 26 points and Mo Bamba had a career-best 18 rebounds to lead the Magic (21-46). Cole Anthony had 22 points.</p>
<p>The Magic led for the better part of three quarters, but Ball began to assert himself with series of aggressive drives through the lane and some nifty no-look passes to set up teammates with easy buckets. Using his quick first step, Ball drove and delivered a one-handed, no-look dish to Rozier on the right wing set up a 3 that put the Hornets ahead by 10 with 8:24 left in the game.</p>
<p>Ball continued to struggle with his 3-point shot though, missing all seven attempts.</p>
<p>Orlando never mounted a serious challenge after that.</p>
<p>Washington had another strong shooting night from beyond the arc. After going 6 of 8 from 3-point range Thursday night, Washington finished 4 of 6 from beyond the arc against the Magic.</p>
<p>TIP INS</p>
<p>Magic: Allowed the Hornets to score a season-high 68 points in the paint. … Shot 41.8% from the field.</p>
<p>Hornets: G Malik Monk played only nine minutes before aggravating his right ankle injury. Monk returned earlier this week after missing 15 games with a sprained ankle. … New University of North Carolina basketball coach Hubert Davis attended the game, as did his predecessor Roy Williams.</p>
<p>UP NEXT</p>
<p>Magic: Host Timberwolves on Sunday in their final home game of the year. They close the season with four games on the road.</p>
<p>Hornets: Host Pelicans on Sunday. </p>
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