The Orlando Magic and the Philadelphia 76ers will square off on Wednesday to determine the No. 7 seed of the Eastern Conference playoffs. The loser of the Magic-76ers tiff will face the Charlotte Hornets in a do-or-die showdown for the No. 8 seed and final playoff spot.
Orlando heads into the encounter having won five of their last six games to make the race for the final Eastern Conference playoff spot a thrilling finish. Although the Magic fell short, they still have a chance to extend their season. Paolo Banchero and Co. will appear in the play-in tournament for the second time in three years.
Meanwhile, the 76ers barely held on to the No. 7 spot before the play-in tournament. They won their last two regular-season games to gain the right to have home-court advantage to determine the conference’s last two seeds.
Orlando Magic vs Philadelphia 76ers Odds
Moneyline: Magic (+110) vs. 76ers (-130)
Odds: Magic (+2.5 -110) vs. 76ers (-2.5 -110)
Total (O/U): Magic (o222.5 -110) vs. 76ers (u222.5 -110)
Editor’s Note: The odds could change closer to the game.
Orlando Magic vs Philadelphia 76ers Injury Reports
Magic Injury Report
Jett Howard (ankle) and Jonathan Isaac (knee) are questionable. Starting center Wendell Carter Jr. (nasal fracture) has been upgraded to available.
76ers Injury Report
The biggest name in the Magic-76ers showdown is that of Joel Embiid, who is out following appendectomy surgery. Embiid had surgery before Philly’s 113-102 loss to the Houston Rockets on Thursday, making him indefinitely out.
Orlando Magic vs Philadelphia 76ers Starting Lineups
Magic
SG: Jalen Suggs | SG: Desmond Bane | SF: Franz Wagner | PF: Paolo Banchero | C: Wendell Carter Jr.
76ers
PG: Tyrese Maxey | SG: VJ Edgecombe | SF: Kelly Oubre Jr. | SF: Paul George | C: Adem Bona
Orlando Magic vs Philadelphia 76ers Prediction
The Magic have their best players available, but they have struggled even with a nearly healthy lineup. In Orlando’s last regular-season game, the Magic lost 113-108 to the Boston Celtics, who rested their top 6 players.
There is also a reported disconnect between Banchero and coach Jamahl Mosley, which could be costly for the team.
The 76ers don’t have Joel Embiid, but they have adjusted well without him, posting a 24-14 record sans the former MVP. With a chance to earn the No. 7 seed, Philly likely defends its homecourt advantage with a win that beats the -2.5 spread.
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