NBA Standings Update: Magic Rising Up in Eastern Conference
ORLANDO - The Orlando Magic are waking up on Thursday in sole possession of the No. 4 seed in the Eastern Conference.
It's the first time Orlando has spent a full day in the top four since Jan. 1, when the team was 19-13. Since then, the Magic have posted an 18-13 record, pushing them to fourth place.
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At the All-Star Break, Orlando was in a tie with the Miami Heat for the seventh seed, but a 7-1 mark since then has the Magic moving up the ranks.
The Magic will have a golden opportunity to maintain that spot in the standings considering the team will play 10 of their next 11 games at home. Of those contests, all but two come against teams with records better than the Magic. If Orlando can win eight or nine of those games, they may solidify their spot as a team hosting a first-round playoff series.
However, before their long homestand, they have to face the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden tomorrow night. The Knicks sit just below the Magic at No. 5 in the East, which could mean Friday's game could act as a playoff preview for the two teams.
The game represents a winning opportunity for the Magic since the Knicks have been banged up for the last month or so. Julius Randle and OG Anunoby will sit, while Jalen Brunson comes into the game questionable with a knee injury.
The Magic and Knicks are set to tipoff tomorrow night at 7:30 p.m. ET.
