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NBA Announces Playoff Clinch Scenarios Ahead of Sixers vs. Magic

A lot is riding on the Philadelphia 76ers' matchup against the Magic on Friday.
Justin Grasso|
Jan 19, 2024; Orlando, Florida, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) shoots the ball over
Jan 19, 2024; Orlando, Florida, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) shoots the ball over | Jeremy Reper-USA TODAY Sports

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Orlando MagicPhiladelphia 76ers

Friday’s game happens to be the biggest matchup of the year for the Philadelphia 76ers.

As the Orlando Magic come to town to take on the Sixers, there is a lot riding on the results of the game.

The Eastern Conference is currently in a tight race for playoff seeding. For weeks, the Boston Celtics had the top spot locked up, with the Milwaukee Bucks and the New York Knicks clinching recently.

Meanwhile, the Cleveland Cavaliers, Orlando Magic, Indiana Pacers, Miami Heat, and the Sixers are all battling for a top-six spot, attempting to avoid the Play-In.

Several games can have an impact on the playoff picture Friday night. On Friday morning, the NBA announced all of the possible playoff-clinching scenarios for the Sixers and the rest of the East.

Jan 19, 2024; Orlando, Florida, USA; Orlando Magic forward Chuma Okeke (3) dunks the ball over
Jan 19, 2024; Orlando, Florida, USA; Orlando Magic forward Chuma Okeke (3) dunks the ball over | Jeremy Reper-USA TODAY Sports

Eastern Conference Clinch Scenarios

  • Cavaliers clinch a playoff spot with a win vs. Pacers OR a Sixers loss
  • Pacers clinch a playoff spot with a win vs. Cavaliers OR a Sixers loss
  • The Heat lock in a Play-In appearance with a loss OR a Magic win
  • Magic clinch a playoff spot with a win vs. Sixers
  • A Sixers loss locks in a Play-In Tournament appearance for Philadelphia

For over a week, the Sixers knew they would have to win out to avoid the Play-In Tournament. Since the return of Joel Embiid, the Sixers haven’t been beaten.

Although they played two of their last six games without Embiid, the 76ers are on a six-game win streak with two matchups left in the season. A win over the Magic is a must for Philadelphia, as it would prevent two teams from clinching on Friday.

The Sixers and the Magic are set to tip-off at 7 PM ET on Friday.

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Justin Grasso
JUSTIN GRASSO

Justin Grasso was a credentialed writer and publisher covering the Philadelphia 76ers for Sports Illustrated’s Philadelphia 76ers On SI Network. Grasso got his start in sports media in 2016 with FantasyPros, working the news desk, providing game-by-game player analysis and updates on the Portland Trail Blazers and the Golden State Warriors. By 2017, he joined FanSided’s Philadelphia Eagles site as a staff writer. After spending one season covering the Eagles as a staff writer, Grasso was promoted to become the site’s Co-Editor. For the next two NFL seasons, he covered the Eagles closely before broadening his NFL coverage. For a brief stint, Grasso covered the NFL on a national basis after joining Heavy.com as an NFL news desk writer. In 2019, Grasso joined the 76ers' beat on a part-time basis, stepping into a role with South Jersey’s 97.3 ESPN. Ahead of the 2019-2020 NBA season, he concluded a three-year stint covering the Eagles and joined the Sixers beat full-time. Grasso has covered the 76ers exclusively since then for Sports Illustrated. He is a member of the Pro Basketball Writers Association. Twitter: @JGrasso_ Instagram: @JGrassoMedia Threads: @JGrassoMedia

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