The Orlando Magic is faced with a win-now situation heading into the final game of the regular season vs. the Milwaukee Bucks on Sunday. This article will also explain how the Magic could slide down to the play-in and face the Miami Heat for the No.7 seed.
The Magic were in contention for the No.2 seed in the East a week ago but consecutive setbacks against the Rockets, Bucks, and Sixers have put them in danger of going through the play-in tournament, where a loss or two could spell the end for any team’s campaign.
As the 2023-24 NBA regular season draws to a close on April 14, Orlando understands the importance of winning their season-finale game against the Bucks, who are also gunning for no less than a victory to secure the No.2 seed in the Eastern Conference.
#NBA Playoff Scenarios for Sunday, Apr. 14:#MagicTogether pic.twitter.com/P9B49H49dD
— Orlando Magic PR (@Magic_PR) April 13, 2024
East Playoff Seeding Scenarios
To completely understand the wild Eastern Conference postseason race and the probable seeds of teams other than the top-seeded Boston Celtics, ESPN has outlined seven scenarios in which these teams could either win a playoff spot outright or drop to the play-in round.
For the No.2 seed – Milwaukee will be the second seed if it beats Orlando; New York will be if it beats Chicago and Orlando defeats Milwaukee, and Cleveland will be if it beats Charlotte and both New York and Milwaukee lose.
For the No.2 seed – If both the Bucks and the Knicks win, New York will be the third seed. Milwaukee will be the third seed if the Knicks win and the Bucks and Cavaliers lose. Cleveland will get the third seed if the Cavs win, the Knicks win, and the Bucks lose.
For the No.4 seed – Cleveland will be the fourth seed if it loses and the Cavaliers, Bucks, and Knicks all win. Milwaukee will finish fourth if New York and Cleveland win while the Bucks lose. If the Knicks and Bucks lose while the Cavaliers win, New York will finish fourth.
For the No. 5 seed – Orlando will finish fifth if it defeats Milwaukee and wins the Southeast Division. Indiana will finish fifth if it defeats Atlanta and Orlando loses. Philadelphia will finish fifth if it wins and Indiana and Orlando lose.
For the No.6 seed – Indiana will finish sixth if Orlando wins. Philadelphia will finish sixth if it wins and Indiana or Orlando lose.
For The No. 7 seed – Philadelphia will finish seventh if both Orlando and Indiana win. Miami will finish seventh if the Heat defeat the Toronto Raptors, the Sixers and Pacers win, and the Magic lose.
For the No. 8 seed – Miami will finish eighth if it loses and the Heat, Magic, 76ers, and Pacers win.
Sunday: Game 82.
What will easily be the best NBA slate in years ⬇️
Nets @ 76ers:
– 76ers playing to get out of play-in tournamentBulls @ Knicks:
– Knicks playing for a chance at the 2 seedBucks @ Magic:
– Bucks playing to hold on to the 2 seed
– Magic playing to stay out…— Rob Perez (@WorldWideWob) April 13, 2024
Potential Magic vs. Heat Showdown
The Magic still have a chance at the No.5 seed if they win their last game against the Bucks. Orlando, on the other hand, will drop to the playoffs if they lose against the Bucks, and the Pacers and Sixers fail to complete their last duties.
HEAT WIN! ????
Miami take care of business in speedily manner 125-103.
Magic took an L in Philly, meaning a Heat win and a Magic loss on Sunday and we’ll be hosting them on the play-in.
Nice performance tonight with plenty of ball movement & Jovic leading scoring with 22 points. pic.twitter.com/XQPq0uTH0V
— Miami HEAT UK ???????? (@TheMiamiHeatUK) April 13, 2024
In this scenario, they would face the Miami Heat for the No. 7 seed in the East. Another loss would send them to another play-in game for the No.8 seed against the winner of the Chicago Bulls-Atlanta Hawks game.
The Heat won the regular-season series with the Magic, 3-1.
THE CONVERSATION.