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5 Orlando Magic matchups that will one day be must-see TV

By Philip Rossman-Reich

Paolo Banchero turned in a historic rookie debut for the Orlando Magic. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Paolo Banchero turned in a historic rookie debut for the Orlando Magic. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jalen Suggs, Orlando Magic, Bennedict Mathurin, Indiana Pacers
Jalen Suggs will not get a matchup with Bennedict Mathurin at the Rising Stars Game this year. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports /

5 Orlando Magic matchups that will one day be must-see TV

Indiana Pacers

Nov. 19 at Indianapolis (5P)
Dec. 23 at Indianapolis (7P)
March 10 at Orlando (6P)

The Playoffs are a zero-sum game.

There are only eight spots in the field with an additional two for the Play-In Tournament. They are precious and unseating teams from that field is a true battle. Do not think making the Play-In, as low a bar as that might be, will be easy for the Orlando Magic. It is not a sure thing they will get there.

This season in the Eastern Conference could be really unique and special though. There are two teams that seemed poised to take that leap into the postseason from the outside last year.

We know the Magic are poised to return to the postseason. Everyone can feel that is the next logical evolution for the team.

The Indiana Pacers are also poised to make a major leap. They were in Playoff position before Tyrese Haliburton’s injury in January derailed the Pacers’ season. So they worked this offseason to shore their team up by adding Bruce Brown. Indiana is a dangerous team and could be a team that makes a major leap.

Something feels comforting about knowing that when the Magic are ready for deep Playoff battles, the Pacers could be there waiting for them. It just feels right.

The Pacers and Magic are the best two young teams in the Eastern Conference right now.

The Pacers play a breakneck game and get up and down the court well. They play an entertaining brand of basketball. They are not a proven commodity since they do not have a playoff appearance. But the Pacers only have six national TV appearances for a team with an All-Star in Haliburton. It just feels off.

Maybe you could convince the NBA to switch the Orlando Magic and Indiana Pacers’ game on March 10 to ESPN to replace a Brooklyn Nets and Cleveland Cavaliers game (another good matchup of young teams, so maybe leave that there).

Still, the Magic and Pacers are going to be stories throughout the season. They are going to be the teams everyone is going to be surprised to see in the standings throughout the season. It should not be a surprise.