CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Dwight Howard kept collecting fouls, and all the Magic did was become the first team to advance in the NBA playoffs.
Vince Carter scored 21, Jameer Nelson added 18 and the Magic showcased its depth and pressure shot-making in a 99-90 victory over the Bobcats on Monday to complete a sweep of their first-round Eastern Conference series.
Howard was held to six points in his fourth straight game in foul trouble, but the Magic never flinched to accomplish its first four-game sweep in franchise history. Orlando will face the Atlanta-Milwaukee winner in the Eastern Conference semifinals. Orlando's only previous playoff sweep was 3-0 over Detroit in 1996.
Tyrus Thomas scored a career playoff-high 21 for the Bobcats.
Howard had 13 rebounds, playing 23 minutes and fouling out for the second straight game.
The Magic got key contributions and big shots from others.
Rashard Lewis scored 17, Matt Barnes added 14, and Orlando held Stephen Jackson to 2-of-11 shooting.
Howard's foul trouble entering the game made him the focus of ribbing in the shootaround. Teammates told him instead of "Superman," his nickname was "Foul on You." Howard played along, raising his arm and clenching his fist as if to call a foul.
When the game started, Howard was called for two fouls in 16 seconds in the first quarter, the second for tripping. He picked up his third for challenging D.J. Augustin after he had released a reverse layup that turned into a three-point play.
With Howard on the bench, the Bobcats built a 38-31 lead.
Orlando cut the deficit to 45-43 at halftime and took the lead on a run that included Carter's first made 3-pointer after an 0-for-15 start to the series.
Howard fouled out with 54 seconds left, finishing with 22 fouls in the series.
| Magic | 23 | 20 | 28 | 28 | 99 |
| Bobcats | 25 | 20 | 23 | 22 | 90 |
| Magic wins series 4-0 |
ORLANDO (99): Barnes 3-10 5-6 14, Lewis 5-8 3-4 17, Howard 2-6 2-7 6, Nelson 4-12 8-10 18, Carter 7-16 6-9 21, Gortat 3-5 0-0 6, Williams 0-1 0-0 0, Pietrus 3-6 4-4 13, Redick 1-3 2-2 4, Anderson 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 28-67 30-42 99.
CHARLOTTE (90): Wallace 6-12 3-6 17, Diaw 6-11 1-2 13, Ratliff 0-1 0-0 0, Felton 3-8 3-5 11, Jackson 2-11 4-5 8, Mohammed 2-3 2-3 6, Thomas 9-12 3-4 21, Augustin 1-5 2-3 4, Chandler 2-3 2-2 6, Hughes 1-4 1-3 4, Brown 0-0 0-0 0, Graham 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 32-71 21-33 90.
3-Point Goals—Orlando 13-33 (Lewis 4-7, Pietrus 3-6, Barnes 3-7, Nelson 2-6, Carter 1-5, Redick 0-1, Williams 0-1), Charlotte 5-19 (Felton 2-4, Wallace 2-5, Hughes 1-3, Graham 0-1, Diaw 0-3, Jackson 0-3). Fouled Out—Howard, Carter. Rebounds—Orlando 49 (Howard 13), Charlotte 53 (Thomas 9). Assists—Orlando 18 (Carter, Nelson 4), Charlotte 27 (Jackson 8). Total Fouls—Orlando 23, Charlotte 29. Technicals—Orlando Coach Van Gundy, Orlando defensive three second, Jackson. Flagrant Fouls—Chandler. A—19,086.
Bucks pull even: Carlos Delfino scored 22 with six 3-pointers and the host Bucks pulled off their second straight surprise, beating the Hawks 111-104 to tied the first-round series at two games each. The Bucks survived a fourth-quarter surge led by Atlanta stars Joe Johnson and Josh Smith, as Milwaukee started getting to the free throw line and hit 28 of 32. "I still feel like there's no pressure on us," Milwaukee's Brandon Jennings said.
| at Bucks | 28 | 26 | 31 | 26 | 111 |
| Hawks | 25 | 25 | 24 | 30 | 104 |
| Series tied at 2 |
ATLANTA (104): Williams 2-5 0-0 4, Jos.Smith 7-11 5-6 20, Horford 4-7 0-0 8, Bibby 5-11 0-0 15, Johnson 11-22 6-7 29, Crawford 6-12 7-8 21, Pachulia 1-5 0-0 2, Evans 2-7 0-0 5, West 0-0 0-0 0, Teague 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 38-80 18-21 104.
MILWAUKEE (111): Delfino 8-14 0-0 22, Mbah a Moute 3-9 4-6 10, Thomas 3-4 3-4 9, Jennings 9-16 5-5 23, Salmons 6-9 10-10 22, Ridnour 2-5 1-2 5, Ilyasova 3-6 4-4 11, Gadzuric 3-3 1-1 7, Stackhouse 1-2 0-0 2, Bell 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 38-69 28-32 111.
3-Point Goals—Atlanta 10-19 (Bibby 5-7, Crawford 2-6, Jos.Smith 1-1, Evans 1-2, Johnson 1-3), Milwaukee 7-18 (Delfino 6-8, Ilyasova 1-2, Bell 0-1, Stackhouse 0-1, Salmons 0-1, Ridnour 0-2, Jennings 0-3). Fouled Out—Horford, Crawford. Rebounds—Atlanta 38 (Jos.Smith 9), Milwaukee 42 (Thomas 9). Assists—Atlanta 14 (Johnson 9), Milwaukee 17 (Jennings 6). Total Fouls—Atlanta 29, Milwaukee 21. Technicals—Milwaukee defensive three second. A—18,717.
Jazz seize 3-1 lead: The host Jazz held off the Nuggets 117-106 late Sunday, despite Carmelo Anthony scoring 12 of his 39 in the fourth quarter. Utah can close out the series Wednesday. Led by Carlos Boozer's 31 points, the Jazz led by 19 in the fourth quarter before Anthony got the Nuggets within seven points three times.
Lakers-Thunder: Wearing street clothes and a smile, Kobe Bryant watched the Lakers finish practice in the midst of a playoff series that has been a whole lot less relaxing than the defending champions had hoped. Bryant scored just 12 in a Game 4 loss that knotted the series at two, and he was short in answering questions about his status for tonight. A team spokesman confirmed that Bryant's broken index finger on his shooting hand has healed, but he's bothered by unrelated arthritis in the same digit. When asked if he's at the top of his game, Bryant said: "I will be."
Loading...