The Orlando Magic close their season against the Eastern Conference’s top team in the Philadelphia 76ers as they look ahead to the Lottery and the offseason.
Orlando Magic (21-50) at Philadelphia 76ers (48-23)
Time/TV: 7 p.m./Bally Sports Florida
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Line: 76ers by 7.5
Tickets: $37-$326 on StubHub
2021 Season Series: 76ers 116, Magic 92 in Orlando on Dec. 31; 76ers 122, Magic 97 in Philadelphia on May 14; Tonight in Philadelphia
| Pace | Off. Rtg. | Def. Rtg. | eFG% | O.Reb.% | TO% | FTR | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Orlando | 99.1 | 104.5 | 113.7 | 48.9 | 25.2 | 12.9 | 23.7 |
| Philadelphia | 100.1 | 112.4 | 106.9 | 54.0 | 27.8 | 14.3 | 29.4 |
OMD Prediction
Let’s get this out of the way early — the Orlando Magic as a franchise benefit far more from losing this game than winning it. There are vibes from this game very similar to that 2018 win over the Washington Wizards that cost the team a three-way tie for the third-worst record in the league. A win knocks the Orlando Magic similarly out of the third-worst record in the league (probably, are the Oklahoma City Thunder really going to win?).
The Philadelphia 76ers have nothing to play for. They clinched the top spot in the Eastern Conference with the win on Friday. It seems like they will sit a few players. And even then their starters are not likely to play very long. Will the Magic follow suit? Is the Sixers’ deep bench good enough to beat the Magic’s deep bench? Tune in to find out.
3 Keys To Watch
Who is playing?
We are at the point of the season, where it is almost impossible to project anything or point to anything to watch for. We just do not know who is going to play. Besides the usual players who are out and have not traveled with the team on this final road trip, Wendell Carter (left eye abrasion) and R.J. Hampton (right ankle sprain) are listed as questionable.
For the Philadelphia 76ers, Joel Embiid is still probable with a non-COVID illness and Seth Curry and Ben Simmons are questionable. All three alone were probably enough to beat the Magic on Friday and beat them again Sunday.
That injury list will probably change again in the afternoon. The Magic and Sixers are probably going to be playing without their full complement. And even if Embiid plays, why should he play beyond halftime. So everything else written here should go with a grain of salt.
Last chance showcase
Ignas Brazdeikis had a coming-out party in a revenge game Friday night. He scored 21 points and was the only player who really shot the ball effectively in Friday’s game. Brazdeikis has always had the shooting ability. The Magic hoped to see a bit more of that. But his play has been inconsistent. But Brazdeikis and his agent will likely be showing that tape to everyone this offseason.
For players like Dwayne Bacon — coming off an 0-for-9 performance — or Moritz Wagner or Donta Hall, this is likely a last chance to make a good impression before they hit free agency and they try to find their place in the NBA. None of them have a guaranteed place in the league next year. And one game — especially this game — will not change that opinion. But don’t expect these guys to roll over. They need to keep playing hard.
Eye on the scoreboard
Yes, we have our eye on the scoreboard in this final game. An Orlando Magic loss will guarantee them at least the third-best odds to win the Lottery. It could land them the best odds to win the Lottery if the Oklahoma City Thunder win. But that does not feel likely. The Magic better their Lottery position regardless if they lose. A win would throw the whole Lottery into chaos.
So the games to watch? The Cleveland Cavaliers are in Brooklyn to play the Brooklyn Nets with one more win than the Orlando Magic. The Detroit Pistons host the Miami Heat at 8 p.m. A Pistons loss could give the Magic a chance at the second-best odds to win the Lottery. The Minnesota Timberwolves play the Dallas Mavericks at 9 p.m. Minnesota has one more win than the Orlando Magic. And the Oklahoma City Thunder host the LA Clippers at 9 p.m. in a game the Clippers might also benefit more from losing.
There will be at least a few things the Magic will be watching. Or at least their fans depending on how this game goes down.