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Hawks to tune up for playoffs, face Magic

Apr 15, 2008 - 1:24 PM Orlando (50-30) at Atlanta (37-43) 7:00 pm EDT

ATLANTA (Ticker) - Fresh of ending the NBA's longest playoff drought, the Atlanta Hawks face the Orlando Magic on Tuesday.

Due to Indiana's loss at Washington on Monday, Atlanta clinched its first playoff berth since 1999. Atlanta will face the league-best Boston Celtics in the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs.

"It's huge for our franchise, when you talk about a young team coming together," Atlanta coach Mike Woodson said. "It's huge for the guys that have put in their time and worked hard. We've worked hard to overcome some things as a unit to get this team where it needs to be."

The Hawks can also claim the season series over the Magic for the second straight season after taking three of four meetings last year. Atlanta has won five consecutive games at home in the series as well.

Hedo Turkoglu had 24 points and eight assists and Howard scored 19 for Orlando in Sunday's 104-84 blowout win over the Chicago Bulls. The win also marked the first 50-win season in 12 years.

"I'm surprised we haven't won more than 50 this year," Howard said. "I think we should have won at least 55. To win 50 is big. Every year, we've progressed."