Murray hits winning free throws, Hawks end Magic’s streak

ATLANTA – Dejounte Murray hit two decisive free throws with 1.3 seconds left, Trae Younger had 37 factors and 13 assists, and the Atlanta Hawks held off the Orlando Magic 126-125 Monday evening to snap their six-game successful streak.

Orlando went on a 12-0 run over 2:17 late within the fourth quarter to wipe out a 13-point deficit and take a 125-124 lead on Markelle Fultz’s layup with 3.8 seconds remaining. Younger inbounded from the sideline, and Murray drew a foul from Paolo Banchero. Murray hit each free throws, and Banchero missed a 3-pointer on the buzzer.

“Like I used to be preaching after the sport, we have to develop up, beginning with me,” Murray mentioned. “Simply what we’re enjoying for, these sort of video games present we’re not enjoying to win and get to the playoffs and attempt to make noise. We have got to cease being snug. We nearly misplaced the sport.”

The Magic have been making an attempt for his or her first seven-game successful streak since January 2011. Earlier than the surge, Orlando had misplaced 9 in a row and 11 of 12.

“The outcomes do matter, however the course of is far more, so I feel we’re slightly inspired with that fourth quarter, with the combat that we confirmed, and that’s form of the mentality we have to have,” Moritz Wagner mentioned. “For those who’re group, you come again from losses, too, and you retain combating it doesn’t matter what occurs, so I feel that’s what the temper is.”

Atlanta welcomed again Murray and John Collins from accidents as each have been game-time selections with left ankle sprains. Collins, who completed with 12 factors, missed the final eight video games and Murray, who had 17, the previous 5.

With middle Clint Caplea nonetheless sidelined by a proper calf pressure, Hawks coach Nate McMillan used a smaller beginning lineup with Collins at middle, De’Andre Hunter at ahead and three guards: Younger, Murray and Bogdan Bogdanovic.

Younger scored 17 factors within the third because the Hawks opened a 104-94 lead within the closing seconds of the interval.

Murray hit a straightaway 3 with 7:30 remaining to make it 114-102, however Orlando saved chipping away and pulled inside one on Fultz’s layup with 28.8 seconds left. Younger missed a clumsy runner with 8.7 seconds to go, and the Magic grabbed the rebound and known as a timeout.

Fultz, who led the Magic with 24 factors, then acquired to the rim simply — too simply for Hawks coach Nate McMillan.

“We’ll take the win, in fact,” he mentioned, “however we all know we’ve acquired to be higher and we’ve acquired to complete higher with a view to proceed to win ballgames.”

Younger knocked down a 34-foot straightaway 3 to place the Hawks up 124-112 with 3:03 to play, however it wasn’t sufficient to place Orlando away.

“I knew we have been going to get attractiveness tonight and being at house we have been in a position to make extra pictures,” Younger mentioned. “We acquired some actually attractiveness.”

Atlanta constructed an 11-point lead within the second quarter, however the Magic went on a 13-3 run and trailed 68-65 at halftime.

TIP-INS

Magic: Franz Wagner completed with 19 factors. His brother Moritz had 16 and Banchero scored 19. … Terrence Ross and Mo Bamba mixed for 25 factors off the bench. … Orlando outscored the Hawks 20-19 on fast-break factors. … The Magic outrebounded Atlanta 45-41.

Hawks: AJ Griffin completed with 19 factors off the bench. … Atlanta outscored Orlando 62-48 within the paint. … Younger went 12 for 12 on free throws. … Younger picked up a technical foul with 3:03 remaining for complaining to an official about contact from Moritz Wagner on his 34-footer. … McMillan efficiently challenged a foul name on Onyeka Okongwu with 2:54 remaining.

UP NEXT

Magic: At Houston on Wednesday and host San Antonio on Friday.

Hawks: Host Chicago on Wednesday and Detroit on Friday.

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Extra AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports