Fournier, Vucevic power Magic past Hawks, 122-103

Evan Fournier and Nikola Vucevic scored 29 points apiece to lead the Orlando Magic to a 122-103 victory over the Atlanta Hawks on Monday in the season's first matchup between the Southeast Division rivals.

Vucevic had 14 rebounds and Fournier had seven assists as Orlando snapped a three-game losing streak.

Dewayne Dedmon led Atlanta with 24 points on the holiday celebrating Martin Luther King Jr. and in the city where the civil rights leader was born.

Atlanta Hawks forward DeAndre' Bembry (95) slam-dunks in the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Orlando Magic, Monday, Jan. 21, 2019, in Atlanta. (AP PhotoTodd Kirkland)

Magic coach Steve Clifford and Atlanta coach Lloyd Pierce both expressed uncertainties before the game about the matchups. "I think we'll have to adjust on the fly," Pierce said.

The Hawks struggled to find an answer for Vucevic. The 7-foot center made only one 3-pointer but found most of his points near the basket. He made 12 of 23 shots from the field.

Vucevic also made an impact on defense, blocking an Alex Len shot when Atlanta trailed by eight points, 103-95. D.J. Augustin's 3-pointer pushed Orlando's lead back to double figures, 106-95. The Hawks didn't mount another serious surge.

Atlanta Hawks guard Jeremy Lin (7) passes around Orlando Magic center Nikola Vucevic (9) in the first half of an NBA basketball game on Monday, Jan. 21, 2019, in Atlanta. (AP PhotoTodd Kirkland)

Dedmon forced Vucevic to play defense far from the basket. Dedmon made five of seven 3-pointers.

Atlanta led 44-38 before Orlando scored 12 straight points for a 50-44 advantage. The Magic led 60-57 at halftime and stretched the advantage to 91-78 through three quarters.

Trae Young had 21 points for the Hawks. John Collins had 14 points and 10 rebounds.

Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young's sneaker commemorating MLK Day prior to the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Orlando Magic on Monday, Jan. 21, 2019, in Atlanta. (AP PhotoTodd Kirkland)

TIP-INS

Magic: F Aaron Gordon (sore lower back) missed his second straight game. Coach Steve Clifford said Gordon is doing better but added: "There's no way he could play. ... When you can look at him and see he's not OK, then he's not OK." ... Augustin had 15 points while making four of six 3s.

Hawks: Rookie F Kevin Huerter (sore neck) was ruled out minutes before tipoff. Taurean Prince was the fill-in starter, shortly after Pierce said there was no immediate plan to move Prince back into the lineup. Huerter has started 27 games and has been an emerging scorer, especially on 3-pointers. ... Jeremy Lin had 15 points.

Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young (11) shoots a free throw in the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Orlando Magic, Monday, Jan. 21, 2019, in Atlanta. (AP PhotoTodd Kirkland)

MLK DAY

Former Atlanta Mayor Andrew Young, who worked closely with King, and NBA Commissioner Adam Silver attended the game as part of the King holiday celebration. Trae Young wrote King's famous words "I have a dream" on his shoe.

UP NEXT

Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young (11) warms up while wearing a T-shirt commemorating Martin Luther King Jr. Day prior to an NBA basketball game against the Orlando Magic, Monday, Jan. 21, 2019, in Atlanta. (AP PhotoTodd Kirkland)

Magic: Orlando plays at Brooklyn on Wednesday.

Hawks: Atlanta begins a seven-game road trip when it visits Chicago on Wednesday.

More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/tag/NBAbasketball and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

Orlando Magic guard Evan Fournier (10) shoots as Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young (11) defends in the second half of an NBA basketball game on Monday, Jan. 21, 2019, in Atlanta. (AP PhotoTodd Kirkland)

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Paolo Banchero had 31 points and 14 rebounds, Jalen Suggs added 24 points and the Orlando Magic handed Cleveland the worst playoff loss in franchise history, winning 121-83 on Thursday night to cut the Cavaliers’ lead to 2-1 in their Eastern Conference first-round series.

Franz Wagner finished with 16 points and eight assists for the Magic, who led by 43 points in the fourth quarter on the way to the third-largest margin of victory in a playoff game. They earned their first playoff victory since 2019 and the first on their home floor since April 26, 2011.

They can even the series with a victory at home Sunday.

Jarrett Allen had 15 points and eight rebounds for the Cavaliers, who shot 39% from the field and 23.5% from 3-point range. Caris LeVert added 15 points and Donovan Mitchell had 13 points and seven assists.

76ERS 125, KNICKS 114

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Joel Embiid scored 50 points, making all four 3-point attempts and scoring 18 in a potential series-shifting third quarter to lead Philadelphia to a win over New York in Game 3 of their Eastern Conference first-round series.

Embiid boldly stated “we’re going to win this series” after the 76ers dropped Game 2.

With one of the finest postseason efforts of his career, Embiid became the third player to ever score 50 points against the Knicks in the postseason and kept the hope of a Philadelphia series comeback very much alive.

The Knicks lead the series 2-1. Game 4 is Sunday in Philadelphia.

Embiid was 13 of 19 from the floor overall, made 19 of 21 free throws and hit five 3-pointers.

NUGGETS 112, LAKERS 105

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Aaron Gordon had 29 points and 15 rebounds, Nikola Jokic added 24 points, 15 rebounds and nine assists, and Denver moved to the brink of the second round with a victory over the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 3 of their first-round series..

Jamal Murray scored 22 points as the defending NBA champion Nuggets won their 11th consecutive meeting with LeBron James and the Lakers in dominating style.

Michael Porter Jr. added 20 points for Denver, which took control in the third quarter and cruised through the final minutes to its fifth straight road win over Los Angeles, starting with its sweep of last season’s Western Conference finals.

Game 4 is Saturday night in Los Angeles. No NBA team has ever rallied from an 0-3 playoff deficit.

Orlando Magic guard Cole Anthony (50) makes a shot as he gets past Cleveland Cavaliers guard Sam Merrill (5) during the second half of Game 3 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series Thursday, April 25, 2024, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)