Magic finish off sweep of Atlanta in Eastern semis

Associated Press

ATLANTA

The Orlando Magic are playing like a team that will settle for nothing less than its first NBA championship.

Vince Carter scored 22 points to lead another dominating performance by the Magic, which finished off its second straight playoff sweep with a 98-84 victory over the Atlanta Hawks on Monday night.

Orlando won the four games by an average of 25 points — a total blowout that no one could have expected in a matchup between the teams that finished second and third in the Eastern Conference.

But the Magic, who lost to the Lakers in last year’s NBA Finals, are playing better than anyone at the most important time of the season. They have won 14 in a row — the last eight in the playoffs — and 28 of 31 games.

Atlanta held Dwight Howard to 13 points and eight rebounds, but the Magic had plenty of other options.

Jameer Nelson finished with 16 points and nine assists. Rashard Lewis scored 17 points, knocking down four 3-pointers. Mickael Pietrus scored 12 points.

The Magic shot 55 percent from the field and never trailed.