Magic To Face Pistons in Eastern Conference Semifinals
Game One - Saturday @ 7:30PM ET on TNT
Magic Playoff Section
This past Monday, the city of Orlando celebrated as the Magic won their first playoff series in 12 years by beating the Toronto Raptors in five games.
Their reward? An Eastern Conference Semifinal matchup with the team that eliminated them last season in a humbling first round, four-game sweep...the Detroit Pistons.
Game One of the series is set for Saturday in Detroit at 7:30PM ET and will be televised on TNT.
The beat down from April haunted the Magic during the off-season as each player took the sweep personally, working extremely hard to make sure the same would not happen this season. The front office took the loss to heart as well, making moves to better their team by acquiring a new coaching staff and an All-Star free agent.
With all the pieces in place, the determined Orlando organization produced one of their best seasons in franchise history, winning 52 games while grabbing their fist Southeast Division title.
Detroit entered the 2008 Playoffs with the second best record in the NBA at 59-23, and drew the feisty Philadelphia 76ers in the first round. The young Philly squad pushed the veteran Pistons to the limit in a hard fought series which Detroit ultimately took in six games, setting the stage for the rematch with the Magic.
Orlando and Detroit split the season series at two games apiece with each team earning victories on the other's home court.
The season split along with the hard work and success since last year's playoffs should give the Magic the confidence they need heading into the playoff rematch which begins with Game One on Saturday in Detroit.
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