Magic Take Down Spurs For Much-Needed Win

The Orlando Magic defeated the San Antonio Spurs 116-105 on Tuesday night. The Magic hold the seventh spot in the Eastern Conference with just five games remaining in the regular season.

Playoff Potential

The Magic (37-40) are in prime position to see the playoffs for just the second time in the last five seasons. The win over the Spurs (31-44) allowed the Florida squad to jump the Atlanta Hawks in the top half of the conference standings. The teams in spots seven through ten in the two respective conferences will be featured in the NBA Play-in Tournament. The new format will have the number seven team play the eight, and the nine play the ten. Only two teams can advance to the playoffs from each conference.

If the season ended today, the East would be represented by the Magic, Hawks, Heat and Bulls in the Play-In. This would allow the Cleveland Cavaliers to play Orlando or Atlanta in the opening round. The Boston Celtics would face either the Heat or Bulls. If the Magic remain in one of the final four spots at the regular season’s closure, it would be the first time in the Play-In’s five-year history that Orlando is featured.

With shy of two weeks left of regular season play, the East could look very different once the playoffs arrive. The tenth-seeded Bulls are only 2.5 games out of the seventh spot. The Magic will have to rally in their final stretch.

Game Leaders

The Magic were led by stars Franz Wagner, Paolo Banchero and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope in the win over the Spurs. The trio combined for 71 points and averaged 33 minutes on the floor. On the other side, Spurs forward Harrison Barnes tallied 24 points for the home team. Banchero notched his ninth double-double of the season with 10 assists to pair with his 24 points.

https://twitter.com/OrlandoMagic/status/1907260875217539554

The Spurs were leading early into the second half until the Magic surged, posting 37 points in the final frame.

Up Next

The Magic will travel to Washington to face the Wizards Thursday at 7 p.m. The Spurs will take on the Denver Nuggets at the Ball Arena Wednesday at 9 p.m.