The Orlando Magic’s 117-113 Thursday dwelling loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers had penalties that impacted their very own probabilities of qualifying for postseason play.
With the defeat, the Magic (34-45) have been eradicated from contending for a spot within the play-in event.
The Magic have been 4 video games behind the Chicago Bulls for the No. 10 seed within the East coming into Thursday and Orlando’s “magic” quantity was one — which means they’d be eradicated from postseason rivalry with the Bulls’ subsequent win or the Magic’s subsequent loss.
Orlando’s defeat got here first.
“[This] sucks,” Markelle Fultz stated. “That is what you reside for. You need to play playoff basketball. You need to mess around this time.”
The Nos. 7-10 seeds in every convention compete within the play-in event for the Nos. 7 and eight spots within the playoffs.
The Magic have been the final workforce within the East outdoors of the play-in to be eradicated.
For them, taking part in in a late-season sport that mattered is an indication of they’re “leveling up” — their mantra for the reason that finish of final season.
“We’ve requested these guys to play significant basketball and our greatest basketball round this time,” coach Jamahl Mosley stated pregame. “And never only for this second, however for going ahead. No matter no matter occurs in every sport, we need to be taking part in our greatest basketball.”
The Magic entered Tuesday winners in 5 of their final six video games and 6 of the final eight.
Their defensive ranking (factors allowed per 100 possessions) of 107.2 since March 18 has been the league’s third-best mark solely behind the New Orleans Pelicans (103.6) and Boston Celtics (106.9).
Orlando’s 25.8 fourth-quarter internet ranking (level differential per 100 possessions) throughout that stretch has been the league’s greatest mark.
“We’ve talked about hanging our hat on the defensive finish,” Mosley stated. “With the ability to sit down and guard in the fitting moments. A few these video games didn’t begin out the way in which we wished them to, however defensively in the direction of the fourth quarter we’ve actually sat down and guarded.”
The Magic stepped up defensively late, solely permitting 24 factors within the fourth, however they didn’t make the photographs they wanted down the stretch.
Paolo Banchero (20 factors, 10 rebounds and 4 assists) missed a shot on the rim with Orlando trailing 115-111 with 41.3 seconds left.
The Magic acquired the defensive cease on the Cavaliers’ ensuing possession however Fultz (23 factors, 8 assists) missed a jumper from his spot within the midrange with 10 seconds remaining.
The Cavaliers (50-30) have been taking part in for one thing, too. They clinched the No. 4 seed within the East with the victory.
Donovan Mitchell, who averaged 42 factors over his final three video games, scored a game-high 43 factors in opposition to the Magic.
He made a pair of late jumpers with lower than two minutes remaining to present Cleveland a 115-109 lead with 1:19 left.
Darius Garland added 16 factors and 10 assists.
“I’m pleased with these guys for a way they battled. That’s the fourth seed within the East,” Mosley stated. “We held our personal and extra so and our guys have to know and consider what we’re able to doing and we’ll proceed to do this transferring ahead.”
This text first appeared on OrlandoSentinel.com. E-mail Khobi Worth at khprice@orlandosentinel.com or observe him on Twitter at @khobi_price.
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