ORLANDO, Fla. — Terrence Ross scored 24 points, Nikola Vucevic had 16 points and 14 rebounds and the Orlando Magic beat the Atlanta Hawks 105-86 on Saturday night to snap a two-game skid.
Ross played his second game with Orlando after coming over from Toronto in a trade for Serge Ibaka and gave Orlando the shooting touch it has lacked all season. He hit 10 of 15 from the field, including 4 of 7 from 3-point range.
Orlando also got double-digit production from Aaron Gordon (18 points) and Elfrid Payton (15). Payton was just short for his fourth career triple-double with nine rebounds and nine assists despite not playing at all in the fourth quarter.
Tim Hardaway Jr. led five Hawks in double figures with 15 points. Atlanta was playing the back-end of a back-to-back and dropped its third straight. The Hawks are trying to remain in the top five in the Eastern Conference.
The Magic improved their ball movement, getting 21 assists on 37 field goals while shooting nearly 48 percent from the field.
With Ross leading the way, Orlando led by 21 before putting away an Atlanta team that played flat for much of the second half.
After a back and forth first half, the Magic claimed a 49-46 lead by halftime on the strength of a 9-0 run. Orlando led 11 points in the first quarter, and Atlanta's largest lead was nine points in the second quarter.
The score was tied five times and there were six lead changes during a first half in which both teams were inconsistent.
TIP-INS
Hawks: Dennis Schroder was back on the floor Saturday but did not start after being suspended for Friday's game after missing two practices following the NBA All-Star break. Malcolm Delaney started in his place at point guard. ... Dwight Howard picked up four fouls in the first half.
Magic: Vucevic was listed as questionable prior to the game with a sore Achilles tendon, but coach Frank Vogel said before tipoff that the center was fine and would be able to go. ... Point guard C.J. Watson missed his second straight game with a sore right Achilles tendon. ... Vucevic had a double-double by halftime with 10 points and 12 rebounds. He now has a team-high 27 double-doubles on the season and 185 career double-doubles.
UP NEXT
Hawks: Travel to face Boston on Monday.
Magic: Host the New York Knicks on Wednesday night.
