The Orlando Magic have literally nothing to play for in their final game against the Charlotte Hornets. They are locked into 11th best Lottery odds.
Time/TV: 8 p.m./FSFlorida
Line: Hornets by 9
Tickets: $15-$2208 on Vivid Seats
Season Series: Magic 113, Hornets 98 in Orlando on Dec. 16; Hornets 120, Magic 116 in Orlando on Jan. 22; Hornets 107, Magic 99 in Charlotte on March 16; Tonight in Charlotte
| Pace | Off. Rtg. | Def. Rtg. | eFG% | O.Reb.% | TO% | FTR | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Orlando | 98.1 | 102.6 | 104.5 | 50.0 | 23.3 | 14.2 | 23.1 |
| Charlotte | 97.8 | 104.9 | 101.8 | 50.0 | 20.1 | 12.8 | 27.7 |
The Orlando Magic will play their final game of the regular season Wednesday against the Charlotte Hornets and it is truly meaningless.
Orlando’s win over the Milwaukee Bucks on Monday locked the Magic in for the 11th best odds in the May 17 NBA Draft Lottery. At 35-46, the Magic cannot catch the 40-41 Utah Jazz and Washington Wizards and the 33-48 Denver Nuggets, Sacramento Kings and Milwaukee Bucks cannot catch the Magic.
When the first three spots in the NBA Draft are selected in May, the Magic will have a 0.8 percent chance at getting the top pick and a 2.9 percent chance at getting into the top three.
For the first time all season, the Magic are playing in a game that is truly meaningless. The Magic’s win over the Bucks was a virtual “six-pointer” eliminating anyone from surpassing them in the standings.
Tankathon | NBA Draft Order & Lottery Simulator via kwout
The hope is though that, much like the last two weeks when the team has won six of its past 10 games, Orlando will not play like it and finish the season with the same intensity and energy they have before.
There is nothing to lose after all.
“We’re professionals,” coach Scott Skiles said before Monday’s game against the Milwaukee Bucks. “We’re paid to perform. So we need to go out and perform. We have guys down . . . it’s opportunities for other people to get playing time and leave an impression going to the offseason. Given the choice, you would rather end the season playing well and get a couple wins.”
This has largely been the sentiment Skiles has taken for the final games of the season. And the team has responded.
Once again the Magic will be shorthanded in this one too. Victor Oladipo ruled himself out of the game despite his progression through the concussion protocol so far. Both Oladipo and Aaron Gordon were at Amway Center and sitting on the bench for Monday’s game as they progress through the concussion protocols. There just is not enough time left in the season for them to suit up again — nor, perhaps the urgency to get them back, it is probably best for them to take their time in their recovery this late in the season.
Like Oladipo, Gordon said he is feeling better. But he too is still working his way through the protocols and is unlikely the play. Scott Skiles said they had reached the stationary bike stage of the protocols.
Josh Robbins of the Orlando Sentinel reported Wednesday, Gordon had cleared all stages of the concussion protocols. The team is awaiting the consultation with the NBA doctors before clearing him to play.
Aaron Gordon has passed all the steps in the NBA's concussion protocol. The Magic are awaiting a final consultation w/the league.
— Josh Robbins (@JoshuaBRobbins) April 13, 2016
From Robbins too, it looks like Nikola Vucevic is a gametime decision too after participating in the team’s shootaround Wednesday morning.
Nikola Vucevic (groin) said he intends to play tonight against the Hornets. He went through shootaround today.
— Josh Robbins (@JoshuaBRobbins) April 13, 2016
Even though the standings are sorted out for the Magic, there is still plenty to sort through.
Andrew Nicholson and Dewayne Dedmon will want to continue their strong run of play and leave a good impression in their final games before free agency. This is their last opportunity with the season ending.
Devyn Marble is still trying to scratch out a living in the NBA and has gotten into the rotation thanks to the injuries ahead of him.
Mario Hezonja too has gotten more time to play and has thrived as a shooter as the season comes to a close. He certainly should not be thrilled it is coming to an end with his current run of play.
And there is plenty on the line for Charlotte. The Hornets are currently sixth in the East, but still a game behind of third-place Miami and fourth-place Atlanta. A Hornets win gives them a chance at home-court advantage for the first round of the Playoffs.
If the Magic do relish playing spoiler, this is a major chance for them to do so.
No game is meaningless of course. Just because the Magic do not have a vested standings interest, they should play the final game with some intensity and effort to close the season out with a good taste in their mouth.
We will be watching at least, this one final time before the summer.