Orlando Magic Faces Wild Week Ahead in Playoffs Pursuit

The Orlando Magic is poised to take the second seed in the Eastern Conference.

Apr 7, 2024; Orlando, Florida, USA; Orlando Magic center Moritz Wagner (21) reacts during the second quarter of a game with Orlando Magic guard Cole Anthony (50) / Mike Watters-USA TODAY Sports

The Orlando Magic is likely going to the playoffs and looks to hold home-court advantage in at least the first series.

The Magic is third in the Eastern Conference with four games to play, taking on the Houston Rockets, Milwaukee Bucks, Philadelphia 76ers, and the Bucks again. Currently holding a 46-32 win record, the Magic can still secure a 50-win season for the first time since 2011.

The Bucks are on a massive skid, having lost six of their last seven. With two games scheduled against the Magic, the Bucks could keep sliding and find themselves seeded third before the playoffs start.

Dec 21, 2023; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) tries to steal the ball from Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero (5) / Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

The Magic will tip off tonight against the Houston Rockets and is favored to win, but after that things get dicey. Despite a disappointing second half of the regular season, any team featuring Damian Lillard and Giannis Antetokounmpo will be dangerous to play. Add in the return of Joel Embiid, and Orlando has a tough slate of games in the final week.

If the Magic manage to beat the Rockets, Sixers, and Bucks, not only will they hold homecourt advantage until a Conference Finals matchup (presumably) with the Boston Celtics, but the Magic will also solidify even more that it is a force to be reckoned with in the Eastern Conference.

Orlando has already expressed that it is excited, giddy even, for the playoffs, but the job isn't done yet. With a play-in spot secured, the Magic now have to assert themselves and prove that they can take on two of the best players in the NBA.