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5 things the Orlando Magic still have to play for

By Philip Rossman-Reich

Paolo Banchero and the Orlando Magic can no longer make the postseason. But they still have things to accomplish. Mandatory Credit: Mike Watters-USA TODAY Sports
Paolo Banchero and the Orlando Magic can no longer make the postseason. But they still have things to accomplish. Mandatory Credit: Mike Watters-USA TODAY Sports /
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Markelle Fultz, Orlando Magic
Markelle Fultz and the Orlando Magic continue to play hard but they are still missing little plays that cost them in the end. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports /

5 things the Orlando Magic still have to play for

Standings Watch

The Orlando Magic are no longer looking up at the standings and trying to reach the postseason, but we would be remiss if we did not acknowledge what is happening in the Lottery standings around them.

After sitting in fifth in the Lottery standings — which comes with a 10.5 percent chance of winning the top pick — the Magic’s little win streak of winning seven of the past nine games and eight of the past 11 has helped them drop in the Lottery standings.

Entering Thursday’s game, the Orlando Magic sit in eight in the Lottery standings now, a half-game ahead (or behind) the sixth-place Indiana Pacers and Washington Wizards (they would split the 165 number combinations between those two spots if they remain tied) and one game ahead (or behind) the fifth-place Portland Trail Blazers.

The Orlando Magic are also two games behind (or ahead) of the Utah Jazz for ninth with the 4.5 percent chance of winning the top pick that comes with it.

The Magic’s odds have dropped pretty significantly thanks to this little win streak. And so it is impossible to ignore that winning will mean the Magic pick a little later in the draft.

That final draft order will be a big talking point as the team moves into the offseason for sure. It can be the difference between a lot of things — although everyone should recognize that good players and even elite players can come from everywhere in the draft order.

There is, however, only one Victor Wembanyama. And everyone wants that top pick. There is also no denying that.

Ultimately, the Magic will have to let the Lottery fall where it may. And they have clearly taken the philosophy that it is more valuable for this young team to take advantage of every opportunity remaining this season to learn winning habits and winning ways. Even if that costs the team some Lottery positioning.