Maurice Evans scores 27 to lead Magic past Hawks 121-105

[April 16, 2008]  ATLANTA, Ga. (AP) -- Maurice Evans scored a career-high 27 points and six of his Orlando teammates also scored in double figures, leading the Magic to a 121-105 victory over the Atlanta Hawks on Tuesday night.

Evans had 23 points in the second half as both playoff-bound teams substituted liberally, knowing the game had no impact on their postseason positioning. The fourth-year guard, who wasn't drafted out of college, eclipsed his previous high of 26 points against Golden State on Feb. 25.

Orlando already clinched the Southeast Division and will be the No. 3 seed in the East. The Hawks are headed to the playoffs for the first time since 1999 as the eighth-seeded team.

The Hawks led 55-51 at halftime, but the Magic quickly took control after the break. Evans' 3-pointer gave Orlando an 82-70 lead with 3 minutes left in the third quarter, and Atlanta never seriously challenged the rest of the way in its final home game of the season.

The regular season, that is. The Hawks, who won only 13 games four years ago, locked up the final spot in the East when Indiana lost Monday night.

Then they went out and played as if they were still celebrating. Orlando shot 57 percent from the field (47 of 82), getting 17 points from Hedo Turkoglu, 15 from Dwight Howard and 14 from Jameer Nelson. Rashard Lewis added 12 points, while Keyon Dooling and J.J. Redick had 11 each.

Marvin Williams and Salim Stoudamire led the Hawks with 16 points apiece.

The Magic made 15 of 23 shots in the decisive third period, outscoring the Hawks 36-23 for an 87-78 lead. Evans scored 15 in the quarter, hitting a couple of 3s and going 6-for-8 from the field. For the game, he was 4-of-6 from beyond the stripe.

Stoudamire swished a pair of 3s in the final period, only to throw up an ugly airball from outside the arc that could have pulled the Hawks within four.

Atlanta's last hurrah came when Williams missed a running jumper, and both Al Horford and Josh Childress had short putbacks spin off the rim.

Dooling raced the other way for a basket that made it 106-95. Evans followed with a fallaway jumper and Dooling scored on another drive that pushed the margin to 15 points. With that, the Hawks cleared their bench.

Notes: Dooling had nine assists, one off his career high. ... Orlando closes the regular season at home against Washington on Wednesday, while the Hawks will travel to Miami for their finale. ... The division rivals split their four games this season.

[Associated Press; By PAUL NEWBERRY]

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