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In the final four

10/ 4/2008

MANCHESTER Magic shrugged off any feelings they may take it easy in their play-off quarter-final against Taunton Tigers, coming a week after winning the EBL1 title.

They swept their visitors aside, racing to a 113-63 victory at the Amaechi Centre that sees them head into the final weekend of the season.

Jamaal Hilliard led the Magic with 21 points and nine rebounds as the home side torched the Tigers with their strength in depth once again shining through.

Magic are far and away the deepest team in the division and they seem to be focused on adding the play-off crown to the division one title and the National Cup, which they retained earlier in the season.

Although they only led by 16 points at the end of the first half, they dominated the second period, closing the third quarter with a 16-3 run.

It was all Magic from there on in with Liam Johnson and Tanner Adu making solid contributions as the game turned into a rout.

With all their offensive firepower the Magic go into final weekend of the season as hot favourites.

However, they will need to play well as the remaining three teams try to prevent them from winning their third trophy of the season.

They face Bristol Academy Flyers in Saturday’s semi-final with the winners playing either Reading Rockets or Derby Trailblazers in the final.