Why Magic Must Win Game 3 vs. Cavaliers

The Orlando Magic won't be eliminated with a Game 3 loss, but they should view tonight's game as a must-win in the 2024 NBA Playoffs.

ORLANDO — The Orlando Magic are set to host their first playoff game in just over five years as they take on the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 3 of the first round.

While tonight isn't an elimination game, it may as well be for the Magic, because a loss would put them in a 3-0 deficit. Since the NBA Playoffs went to a seven-game format for every series, no team has ever overcome a 3-0 deficit to win a series. There are 151 teams who have found themselves in that position, but only four have even forced a Game 7.

The last team to get to Game 7 was the Boston Celtics last season. They went down 3-0 to the Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference Finals, but they won three consecutive elimination games to force a Game 7 in Boston, but they ran out of gas and couldn't finish the job.

As a young team, the Magic need to avoid that fate if they can help it. Just one win could spark enough confidence to put them back in the series and make it competitive.

Tipoff for tonight's Game 3 is set for 7 p.m. ET.

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