Magic clinch 7th spot in Eastern Conference with 96-76 win over depleted Celtics

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Franz Wagner scored 23 points, Cole Anthony came off the bench with 18 points and the Orlando Magic beat the Boston Celtics 96-76 on Wednesday night to clinch seventh place in the Eastern Conference and the top spot in the play-in tournament.

Baylor Scheierman and Payton Pritchard scored 15 points each to lead the Celtics, who did not use their top six players and made 7 of 40 3-point shots.

Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Kristaps Porzingis, Derrick White, Jrue Holiday and Al Horford did not play for the Celtics.

Paolo Banchero had 15 points and six assists for the Magic. It was Wagner's 12th straight game of scoring 20 or more points.

Celtics: Are locked into the No. 2 spot in the Eastern Conference playoffs and played a day after an overtime win against New York. The 76 points was a season-low for Boston, well under the previous low of 92 points they scored at Oklahoma City on Jan. 5.

Magic: Winning for the eighth time in 10 games, the Magic qualified for a home game in the first round of the play-in tournament against an opponent to be determined. A win in that game would earn the seventh seed in the playoffs and a first-round series against the Celtics. The Magic also clinched the Southeast Division. Guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope did not play in the second half due to a sore left knee.

Wagner, Gary Harris and Caleb Houstan hit 3-pointers and Banchero scored six points on a 20-4 third-quarter run that turned an eight-point Orlando lead into a 24-point lead.

The Celtics finished the season 33-8 on the road, with two of the losses coming in Orlando. Tatum missed both games.

Celtics: Play at home against Charlotte on Friday night.

Magic: Play at Indiana on Friday night.

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba

Orlando Magic center Goga Bitadze (35) and guard Cole Anthony, left, celebrate after basket while playing the Boston Celtics during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, April 9, 2025, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Kevin Kolczynski)

Orlando Magic guard Cory Joseph (10) defends Boston Celtics guard Payton Pritchard (11) as he brings the ball into the lane during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, April 9, 2025, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Kevin Kolczynski)

Boston Celtics center Neemias Queta (88) dunks the ball over Orlando Magic players during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, April 9, 2025, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Kevin Kolczynski)

Boston Celtics forward Sam Hauser (30) drives against Orlando Magic forward Franz Wagner, left, during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, April 9, 2025, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Kevin Kolczynski)

Orlando Magic forward Franz Wagner (22) fights through the screen by Boston Celtics center Luke Kornet, left, as he guards Boston Celtics guard Payton Pritchard (11) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, April 9, 2025, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Kevin Kolczynski)

Orlando Magic forward Franz Wagner, left, passes the ball around Boston Celtics forward Torrey Craig (12) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, April 9, 2025, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Kevin Kolczynski)

LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Michigan Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist II announced Monday he is suspending his campaign for governor and instead joining the race for secretary of state of the battleground state.

Gilchrist, a progressive Democrat from Detroit, did not cite a specific reason for the change in his video announcement, but said he is not finished being a “public servant.” His departure clears up the Democratic primary and benefits the frontrunner, Jocelyn Benson, who is the current Secretary of State, in the race to replace term-limited Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.

The secretary of state is Michigan's top election official, a highly politicized and visible role since the 2020 presidential election.

“Michigan has been ground zero in the battle for free and fair elections before, and it will be again,” Gilchrist said.

As Whitmer’s second in command and her running mate in two elections, Gilchrist struggled to match Benson’s name recognition and fundraising. He reported having around $378,000 of cash on hand as of October compared to Benson’s $2.98 million.

Benson is now set to face only Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson in the Democratic primary in August.

The inclusion of a well-known independent candidate has created a new problem for Democrats this year. Former Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan is avoiding costly primaries altogether by running as an independent. The Michigan Democratic Party slammed the former Democrat last week for not standing up to President Donald Trump’s second term policies.

In the Republican primary, U.S. Rep. John James, former Michigan Attorney General Mike Cox, state Senate Leader Aaric Nesbitt and former Michigan House speaker Tom Leonard are jockeying for the nomination.

In his bid to become secretary of state, Gilchrist will face four other Democrats: Barb Byrum, Ingham County clerk; Aghogho Edevbie, deputy secretary of state; Suzanna Shkreli, a former Whitmer aide and commissioner of the Michigan State Lottery; and Adam Hollier, a former state senator from Detroit.

Michigan does not hold primary elections for the secretary of state position; the nominee is chosen by precinct delegates during party conventions. The Michigan Democratic Party convention is scheduled for April 19.

State Republicans plan to hold their nominating convention March 28 and GOP figures chasing the party's nomination for secretary of state include Anthony Forlini, Macomb County Clerk, and Monica Yatooma, an Oakland County executive.

In addition to the office of the governor and secretary of state, Michigan voters will be selecting a new state attorney general and a U.S. senator in November.

FILE - Michigan Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist II waits before the State of the State address, Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2024, at the state Capitol in Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Al Goldis, file)