The Sports Xchange
Dec 9, 2017
ATLANTA -- Kent Bazemore had two steals, two dunks and two free throws in the final 40 seconds to help the Atlanta Hawks secure a 117-110 win over the Orlando Magic on Saturday at Phillips Arena.
Bazemore finished with 19 points, 17 of them in the second half, as Atlanta avenged Wednesday's overtime loss to Orlando and snapped a two-game losing streak. Orlando has dropped two straight.
Atlanta (6-19) was led by Ersan Ilyasova, who was 9 of 9 from the field and scored a season-high 26 points. Dennis Schroder scored 18 points, including a pair of free throws that tied the game at 110. Reserves Tyler Cavanaugh added 14 and Marco Belinelli scored 13.
Orlando (11-17) got a career-high 29 points from Jonathon Simmons and a triple-double from Nikola Vucevic, who had 31 points, 13 rebounds and 10 assists. The Magic were playing without starters Evan Fournier and Aaron Gordon.
Bazemore stole the ball from Simmons near midcourt and drove for a slam with 36 seconds left. He made two free throws to extend Atlanta's lead to four. After Orlando called timeout, Bazemore stole the inbounds pass and drove for another slam.
Atlanta surged into the lead in the first quarter on the strength of three 3-pointers from Ilyasova, part of a 10-0 run. The Hawks led by as many as 11 points and finished the quarter with a 32-22 lead.
The Hawks led by 10 with 8:52 left in the half when Cavanaugh made a 3-pointer. But the Magic got hot and outscored Atlanta 16-5 and took a 43-42 lead on Shelvin Mack's basket with 5:29 left. Orlando's lead was short-lived, as the Hawks regained the advantage and led 57-54 at halftime.
Orlando grabbed an 81-80 lead on Wes Iwundu's runner with 2:56 left in the third quarter and twice led by three, only to see Atlanta answer with 3-pointers to tie the game. The Hawks led 89-87 when Isaiah Taylor drove for a basket with 1.9 seconds left.
NOTES: Orlando F Aaron Gordon did not play because of a concussion suffered Friday against Denver. His spot in the starting lineup was taken by Mario Hezonja. ... Inactive for Atlanta were F John Collins (left AC joint), C Dewayne Dedmon (left tibia), F Mike Muscala (left ankle) and G Josh Magette. Inactive for Orlando were: F Evan Fournier (right ankle), Jonathan Isaac (right ankle), G Terrence Ross (right MCL), C Kheem Birch and G Jamel Artis. ... Collins went through pregame workouts without a brace or wrap on his shoulder, indicating he may return soon. ... Atlanta plays again on Sunday at New York. Orlando returns home on Wednesday to host the Los Angeles Clippers.