Josh Smith had a double-double of 30 points and 10 rebounds as the Hawks won their final game before the All-Star break.
Associated Press photo
Associated Press photo
The Hawks led by as many as 38 points and decimated the Magic defense on the way to earning their ninth consecutive regular-season win over their division rivals.
Jameer Nelson and Andrew Nicholson led the Magic with 10 points apiece. No other Orlando players reached double figures.
The Magic have now lost 24 of their last 27 games.
It was the last game for both teams before the All-Star break. Orlando heads to Charlotte on Tuesday and Atlanta plays at Miami next Wednesday.
Horford and Smith scored at will both inside and from the outside, and had a combined point total that equaled the Magic’s team total after three quarters.
It was Smith’s third 30-point game this season and 22nd double-double of the year. He now has 200 double-doubles for his career.
The Magic entered the night having already seen nine players miss time this season because of injury.
They were dealt a different kind of blow Wednesday when the NBA announced that forward Hedo Turkoglu would be suspended 20 games for taking a steroid.
Turkoglu, who had already missed 31 games this season because of injury and illness, will be out until late March.
It didn’t seem like it would be such a lopsided night early on.
The Hawks’ started the game just 1-for-10 from the field and had just a six-point cushion after one. They erupted in the second, though, outscoring the Magic 32-17 as they built a 21-point halftime lead.
Orlando never recovered.
Horford and Smith combined for 30 points and 17 rebounds in the half, just a shade under the 36 points and 18 rebounds the Magic had as a team.
NOTES: Hawks G Devin Harris was whistled for his first technical foul of the season in the first quarter. ... G Kyle Korver has now made at least one 3-pointer in each of his last 45 games, the longest active streak in the NBA. ... The Magic fell to 5-18 this season when their opponent scores at least 100 points.
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