The Orlando Magic host the Charlotte Hornets on Friday night in the NBA play-in tournament, with the winner securing the Eastern Conference’s eighth seed and a first-round matchup against the top-seeded Detroit Pistons.
How the teams arrived at this decisive game
Orlando lost to the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday, ending their hopes of clinching a playoff berth outright and forcing them into the play-in. Charlotte defeated the Miami Heat on Tuesday to earn the right to face the Magic, having survived their own elimination game. The Hornets are seeking their first playoff appearance since 2016.
What the regular season showed about this matchup
Charlotte won the season series against Orlando 3-1, with all three victories coming by at least 15 points. Despite that edge, Orlando remains in contention for a third consecutive postseason appearance if they can overcome the Hornets‘ recent dominance.
What happens next for the winner
The victor advances to play the Detroit Pistons in the first round of the playoffs, facing the team that finished with the best record in the Eastern Conference. The loser’s season ends immediately, with no further games scheduled.
For more on this story, see NBA Play-In Tournament Features Warriors, Clippers, Magic and 76ers.
How the Western Conference play-in unfolded
In the West, the Golden State Warriors travel to Phoenix to play the Suns for the eighth seed, after Portland defeated Phoenix on Tuesday and Golden State beat the LA Clippers on Wednesday. The winner will meet the top-seeded and defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder in the opening round.
What recent form suggests for the Warriors-Suns game
Golden State won three of their four regular-season meetings with Phoenix, though their most recent matchup on February 5 did not include Stephen Curry for the Warriors or Devin Booker and Jalen Green for the Suns. Curry has since returned with a 35-point performance against the Clippers, including 27 points in the second half.
This follows our earlier report, Philadelphia 76ers lead Orlando Magic at halftime in No. 7 seed play-in game.
What is at stake for the Magic and Hornets in this game?
The winner earns the Eastern Conference’s eighth playoff seed and a first-round series against the Detroit Pistons, even as the loser’s season ends with the play-in loss.
How did Charlotte perform against Orlando during the regular season?
Charlotte won all three games against Orlando by at least 15 points, taking the season series 3-1.
