CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) - Al Jefferson scored 26 points as the playoff-bound Charlotte Hornets closed out their best regular season in 16 years with a 117-103 win over the Orlando Magic on Wednesday night.
Troy Daniels added 13 points and Spencer Hawes and Jeremy Lamb had 12 each for Charlotte, which finished the regular season 48-34 — the fifth-most wins in franchise history.
The Hornets are the sixth seed in the Eastern Conference and will face the third-seeded Miami Heat in the first round of the NBA playoffs.
They are looking to end a long playoff drought. They haven't won a series — or even a playoff game — since the 2001-02 season. They were swept by Miami two years ago.
Evan Fournier and Aaron Gordon each had 22 points for the Magic, who finished the season 35-47.