Orlando Magic Faces A Challenging Week of Basketball

The Magic‘s schedule for the season goes as follows:

• At the Milwaukee Bucks on 4/10
• At the Philadelphia 76ers on 4/12
• A home game against the Milwaukee Bucks on 4/14

The Milwaukee Bucks just had their main star, Giannis Antetokounmpo, leave last night’s game against the Boston Celtics due to injury. Giannis left with a calf injury and reportedly avoided an Achilles injury. Doc Rivers told CBS News, “[The concern level is high], I will say that… so we’re just going to hope for the best.” There are no new updates to his injury or whether he can return to play today against Orlando.

However, the young Magic squad still has Damian Lillard, Brook Lopez, and Khris Middleton to worry about. Damian Lillard has played at an all-star level this season, and Khris Middleton is slowly returning to his normal playing level after an ankle injury mid-season.

Milwaukee is fighting to hold on to the second seed in the Eastern Conference finals. The Bucks currently have 48 wins, and the third-seed Knicks have 47 wins. If the Bucks win two of their next three games, they can secure the second seed.

The Magic, along with the Cavaliers and the Pacers, have 46 wins. Paolo Banchero has a chance to shine and lead the team to a possible third or second seed in the Eastern Conference. Yet beating Milwaukee is not going to be easy, let alone beating them twice.

Can’t Forget About The 76ers

The 76ers currently have 45 wins and are doing their best not to be in the play-in game. They need to win out so they won’t have to travel for the playoffs. Their star, Joel Embiid, fueled the Sixers to a 4-0 week since his return.

Orlando has to play two tough road games before ending their season at home. It’ll be a challenge for Wendell Carter Jr. and Paolo Banchero to guard Joel Embiid in the paint. The Orlando bigs have to use their speed and outside shooting to their advantage against the former MVP.

What Will The Playoffs Look Like For Orlando?

If Orlando retains its top-four seeding in the playoffs, it has some interesting matchups to consider. It could play a Pacers squad that’s trying to regain its footing from a hot start in the first half of the season. That might be its best opponent in the first round.

The Cleveland Cavaliers became a dark horse team to be in the NBA Finals with a great second-half surge in the regular season. Yet, the Cavaliers slightly have more playoff experience than the Magic squad. They could play against the 76ers, who have been a constant in the Eastern Conference playoffs the last few years. Their worst matchup could be against the 76ers due to playoff experience and having better playmakers at the guard positions.