Magic Clinches Play-In Berth; What's Next?
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ORLANDO - The Orlando Magic will be playing an 83rd game this season after beating the Charlotte Hornets on Tuesday night at the Kia Center.
The win ensured that the Magic would finish no worse than 10th in the Eastern Conference, securing a spot in the Play-In Tournament.
However, sitting in fifth place with 41 wins in the middle of March means that the Magic can achieve more in the final month or so of the season, which means it's business as usual for Orlando.
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“I think we continue to focus on one game at a time – continue to build our habits the right way, stick to our standard of style of play, knowing that we’re there but not being satisfied with that because that’s not what we set out to do," coach Jamahl Mosley said postgame. "We set out to be playing our best basketball in March and April, and that’s what we’re going to continue to do on a consistent basis: Our level of work, our level of focus, each and every single day that we know we need to do in order to get where we’re trying to go.”
The players also feel like there is more on the to-do list for the Magic this season.
"We're not here to play for the Play-In," point guard Cole Anthony said in Tuesday's shootaround via Jason Beede of the Orlando Sentinel. "We want to solidify a playoff spot. We're in a position where we can do that and I think [if] we just stay focused, keep taking care of business, working hard, we're going to have a chance. We're going to be alright."
The Magic's path towards clinching a playoff berth continues tomorrow night against the New Orleans Pelicans. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET.
