SECACUS, N.J., May 26 (UPI) -- The Orlando Magic won the NBA draft lottery for the third time Wednesday night and will have the first pick in the June 24 draft.
Orlando entered the NBA in 1989 and since then has claimed the first pick in 1992 (Shaquille O'Neal) and again the following year, when they defied 66-1 odds and ended up with Penny Hardaway.
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The odds were not as long this time around. Orlando was a league-worst 21-61 this season and had the best chance of winning at 25 percent.
When NBA deputy commissioner Russ Granik revealed the second pick belonged to the Los Angeles Clippers, Magic senior vice president Pat Williams stood and pumped his fists in celebration.
"You control the draft and that's a good position to be in," he said.
