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Orlando Magic Daily Roundtable: Will they or won’t they?

By Philip Rossman-Reich

Oct 12, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic center Bismack Biyombo (11) high fives guard C.J. Watson (32) and forward Damjan Rudez (3) against the San Antonio Spurs during the second half at Amway Center. San Antonio Spurs defeated the Orlando Magic 95-89. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 12, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic center Bismack Biyombo (11) high fives guard C.J. Watson (32) and forward Damjan Rudez (3) against the San Antonio Spurs during the second half at Amway Center. San Antonio Spurs defeated the Orlando Magic 95-89. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jun 22, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward Kevin Love celebrates with fans during the NBA championship parade in downtown Cleveland. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 22, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward Kevin Love celebrates with fans during the NBA championship parade in downtown Cleveland. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports /

Who is making the Playoffs in the Eastern Conference?

Iwanowski: Cleveland is the clear top team. And Boston and Toronto are the next two locks. I felt Detroit as a lock two months ago, and I still have them in despite the injury to Reggie Jackson. I also see Charlotte, Washington, Atlanta and Orlando making it. I am not sold on the fit of the Indiana Pacers acquisitions and their overall identity, but I could definitely see them getting in over Orlando with Paul George and Myles Turner making a tough duo. I do not think Miami has the depth and Chicago’s shooting scares me.

Palmer: The East is pretty interesting this year. There were a lot of teams that overhauled their core and some young squads who should have grown given a NBA offseason. I think the only locks in the conference are Cleveland, Boston, Toronto and Atlanta. Teams like the Bulls, Pacers, Knicks and Bucks made some pretty wild moves. I am not sure if they really improved or just put together players hoping for a fit. With that in mind I will say the Wizards, Hornets and Pistons also make it. So that leaves one spot for the Knicks, Pacers, Bulls, Magic and Bucks. I think I will give the edge to the Pacers since Paul George is the best player on any of these teams.

Grullon: The Eastern Conference has four teams that should have no problems making the playoffs: the Cleveland Cavaliers, Indiana Pacers, Toronto Raptors and the Boston Celtics. After that the remaining four seeds are up for grabs. The Detroit Pistons, Atlanta Hawks and New York Knicks look solid on paper and should be able to secure a playoff spot, which would only leave one spot available. The last seed in the Eastern Conference will come down to the Chicago Bulls, Washington Wizards or the Orlando Magic. The margin for error for these three teams is very slim. Any major injury, chemistry issue or lengthy losing streak could make the difference between one of these teams making it to the Playoffs or going home early in April.

Scricca: Cleveland, Boston and Toronto are the only real locks in my eyes. After that, there is a pretty thick herd of teams that could end up winning around the same amount of games (between 37 and 44). I like the Pistons, Pacers, Hawks and Hornets in that order, while the last seed will be battled for among the Magic, Knicks, Bulls, Wizards and Bucks. Maybe I am being optimistic, but based on a combination of coaching and overall roster makeup I see that spot going to Orlando.

McMillan: The Eastern Conference has steadily gotten better in the last few years. The competion near the bottom will be hard to figure out, but the top four should be clear. My top four in no particular order are Cleveland, Boston, Toronto and Indiana. The bottom four will be a toss up between about six teams. I am going to go with Orlando, Detroit, Chicago and New York. The two wild cards that could possibly sneak in are the Milwaukee Bucks if their long lineup works and the Atlanta Hawks if they can gel after losing two All Stars.

Rossman-Reich: I think the top three are pretty set and pretty obvious — Cleveland, Boston, Toronto. After that I feel fairly certain Detroit, Atlanta and Charlotte are in. The Pistons are dealing with the injury to Reggie Jackson and that may get them to a slow start. But they have the overall talent and coaching to stay in. a lot of people are down on the Hornets, but again coaching is good and they kept the roster virtually together. That leaves two spots left. I feel fairly certain the Indiana Pacers will get in too. That leaves one spot to fight for between the Chicago Bulls, Washington Wizards, Orlando Magic and New York Knicks. I am leaning toward the Bulls right now, but could be convinced otherwise. Despite those “locks,” I think spots six or seven through 11 are going to be pretty tight.