Denton: Magic Clinch Fourth Straight Playoff Berth
By John Denton
March 16, 2010
Note: The contents of this page have not been reviewed or endorsed by the Orlando Magic. All opinions expressed by John Denton are solely his own and do not reflect the opinions of the Orlando Magic or their Basketball Operations staff, partners or sponsors. His sources are not known to the Magic and he has no special access to information beyond the access and privileges that go along with being an NBA accredited member of the media.
ORLANDO – Now, the Orlando Magic’s championship chase can begin in earnest.
The Magic officially clinched a playoff berth on Tuesday night when the Charlotte Bobcats lost in Indiana 99-94 to the Pacers.
That means the Magic (47-21) are locked into the playoff race and the main priority left is for Orlando to try and attain as high a seed as possible. Second-seeded Orlando is six games back to top-seeded Cleveland in the Eastern Conference and 3 ½ games ahead of No. 3 Atlanta and four games clear of No. 4 Boston.
``These last few games are great preparation for us because we want to have a long second season,’’ Magic star guard Vince Carter said Tuesday. ``Each game does matter and we want the best possible seed as we can going into the playoffs.’’
Magic season ticket holders will be given first priority at tickets for the playoffs. Fans can still become season ticket holders by calling 407-89-MAGIC. Single-game tickets for the playoffs will begin being sold in a couple of weeks.
The Magic host the San Antonio Spurs Wednesday night at Amway Arena. The surging Spurs won for the eighth time in the last nine games in Miami on Tuesday night, rolling 88-76.
The Magic saw their eight-game winning streak come to an end Sunday night at home against Charlotte. The Magic have played significantly better basketball of late and want to use these final 14 games to get ready for they expect will be another long playoff run.
``This is the right time if you want to peak. Nobody wants to peak in the middle of the season; you want to do it at the end and start rolling into the playoffs,’’ said Carter, who emerged from a down month in January and has shot the ball exceptionally well the past six weeks. ``We’re playing better basketball, but we can also be a lot better. That’s why it’s important for us to finish out these games and fine-tune some of the little things. Then, it will be time to go (in the playoffs).’’
John Denton writes for Orlandomagic.com. His Magic ``Behind the Scenes’’ segment can be heard each week on ESPN 1080 AM. E-mail John at jd41898@aol.com.
By John DentonMarch 16, 2010
Note: The contents of this page have not been reviewed or endorsed by the Orlando Magic. All opinions expressed by John Denton are solely his own and do not reflect the opinions of the Orlando Magic or their Basketball Operations staff, partners or sponsors. His sources are not known to the Magic and he has no special access to information beyond the access and privileges that go along with being an NBA accredited member of the media.
ORLANDO – Now, the Orlando Magic’s championship chase can begin in earnest.
The Magic officially clinched a playoff berth on Tuesday night when the Charlotte Bobcats lost in Indiana 99-94 to the Pacers.
That means the Magic (47-21) are locked into the playoff race and the main priority left is for Orlando to try and attain as high a seed as possible. Second-seeded Orlando is six games back to top-seeded Cleveland in the Eastern Conference and 3 ½ games ahead of No. 3 Atlanta and four games clear of No. 4 Boston.
``These last few games are great preparation for us because we want to have a long second season,’’ Magic star guard Vince Carter said Tuesday. ``Each game does matter and we want the best possible seed as we can going into the playoffs.’’
Magic season ticket holders will be given first priority at tickets for the playoffs. Fans can still become season ticket holders by calling 407-89-MAGIC. Single-game tickets for the playoffs will begin being sold in a couple of weeks.
The Magic host the San Antonio Spurs Wednesday night at Amway Arena. The surging Spurs won for the eighth time in the last nine games in Miami on Tuesday night, rolling 88-76.
The Magic saw their eight-game winning streak come to an end Sunday night at home against Charlotte. The Magic have played significantly better basketball of late and want to use these final 14 games to get ready for they expect will be another long playoff run.
``This is the right time if you want to peak. Nobody wants to peak in the middle of the season; you want to do it at the end and start rolling into the playoffs,’’ said Carter, who emerged from a down month in January and has shot the ball exceptionally well the past six weeks. ``We’re playing better basketball, but we can also be a lot better. That’s why it’s important for us to finish out these games and fine-tune some of the little things. Then, it will be time to go (in the playoffs).’’
John Denton writes for Orlandomagic.com. His Magic ``Behind the Scenes’’ segment can be heard each week on ESPN 1080 AM. E-mail John at jd41898@aol.com.
