5* - Orlando Magic (-5?)
The Orland Magic have now won seven in a row and 11 of their last 12 games. The incredible streak has included wins over Dallas, Detroit, Miami and San Antonio and they are without question, the hottest team in the league right now. Over the last twelve games, this young team has averaged 100.6 points while allowing only 92.4 per game against many of the NBA?s elite teams and now find them selves just three games out of the last spot in the playoffs and only four games behind the current fifth seed. Two months ago, who would have believed that would be possible?
The Sixers and the Bulls are the two teams that Orlando is trying to catch and with Chicago on deck Monday night, a win tonight is a must if the Magic have any hope of playing in the post season. Dwight Howard and Jameer Nelson are playing extremely well for the Magic right now. In Philly on March 24th, Howard had a huge game with 15 points, 19 rebounds, five assists and four blocks with Nelson adding 19 points and seven assists. Seven different Magic players scored in double figures in that game and despite the fact that Webber led the Sixers with 23 points and 15 rebounds, the Magic came away with a 102-86 win as Iverson was held to 17 points in 44 minutes of play.
Games can be pretty unpredictable in the last week of the season but this Orlando team is red hot and has confidence in their ability to beat anyone right now. This is a team that everyone gave up on after the big trade with New York in February but these guys want badly to at least make the playoffs and the way they are playing, they just might. The Sixers are playing their third road game in four nights and had their asses handed to them last night by the same Miami team that lost by nine points at home last Sunday to Orlando.
The Orland Magic have now won seven in a row and 11 of their last 12 games. The incredible streak has included wins over Dallas, Detroit, Miami and San Antonio and they are without question, the hottest team in the league right now. Over the last twelve games, this young team has averaged 100.6 points while allowing only 92.4 per game against many of the NBA?s elite teams and now find them selves just three games out of the last spot in the playoffs and only four games behind the current fifth seed. Two months ago, who would have believed that would be possible?
The Sixers and the Bulls are the two teams that Orlando is trying to catch and with Chicago on deck Monday night, a win tonight is a must if the Magic have any hope of playing in the post season. Dwight Howard and Jameer Nelson are playing extremely well for the Magic right now. In Philly on March 24th, Howard had a huge game with 15 points, 19 rebounds, five assists and four blocks with Nelson adding 19 points and seven assists. Seven different Magic players scored in double figures in that game and despite the fact that Webber led the Sixers with 23 points and 15 rebounds, the Magic came away with a 102-86 win as Iverson was held to 17 points in 44 minutes of play.
Games can be pretty unpredictable in the last week of the season but this Orlando team is red hot and has confidence in their ability to beat anyone right now. This is a team that everyone gave up on after the big trade with New York in February but these guys want badly to at least make the playoffs and the way they are playing, they just might. The Sixers are playing their third road game in four nights and had their asses handed to them last night by the same Miami team that lost by nine points at home last Sunday to Orlando.
