The Orlando Magic’s season will come to a close on Sunday afternoon.
The Magic (34-47) head down south to square off with their Sunshine State rivals, the Miami Heat (43-38), at 1 p.m. ET.
While just about one week ago it appeared that this game could potentially have a major impact on both teams’ postseason positioning, that’s no longer the case.
Orlando was eliminated from NBA play-in contention three games earlier and Miami is now locked into the seventh seed in the Eastern Conference, meaning it’ll have to participate in the play-in tournament into secure a spot in the playoffs.
As a result, both squads’ lineups will likely look vastly different than they did during the majority of the regular season.
The Magic have tinkered with their rotations over the last two games in order to reward players who’ve practiced hard all season with time on the court, give the coaching staff and front office an extended look at various pairings, and rest guys who’ve logged heavy minutes over the course of the campaign.
“It’s great to get a look at it and see what things work for us (and) what things we can continue to improve on,” said Magic Head Coach Jamahl Mosley. “The ability for these guys to compete no matter who steps on the floor. That’s one thing we want to continue to see with this group.”
One of the players who’ve benefited from their extended run is big man Goga Bitadze. The 6-foot-11 center, who was signed by Orlando as a free agent on Feb. 13, notched 12 points and a career-high-matching 15 rebounds during the Magic’s last outing against the Brooklyn Nets.
“I think I fit in well,” said Bitadze. “I’m just trying to go out there and show everybody that I’m doing one hundred percent every time I step on the court. Crashing the glass, making the right decisions, right plays and trying to set good screens for my teammates. I think people see that and they respect that. So, I get playing time. It pays off. Thanks again to (coach Mosley) for trusting me out there.”
While it remains unclear which players will take the floor for the Heat, much like the Magic, they’re a well-coached team that will put forth a hard-fought effort with whatever players are donning their uniform.
Miami possesses a top-10 defensive rating and is among the league’s best in scoring points off turnovers (sixth), while limiting their opponents second chance points (third), fast break points (fourth) and points in the paint (third).
IN AND OUT: Paolo Banchero (back tightness), Wendell Carter Jr. (left hip soreness), Markelle Fultz (left knee soreness), Gary Harris (left adductor soreness), and Franz Wagner (left ankle sprain) are questionable, while Jonathan Isaac (left adductor surgery), Jay Scrubb (ineligible to play), and Moe Wagner (right ankle sprain) are all out for Orlando.
For Miami, Bam Adebayo (left quadriceps; tendon strain), Victor Oladipo (left elbow contusion), and Max Strus (right second finder; hyperextension) are probable, Jimmy Butler (rest), Tyler Herro (right quadriceps; contusion), and Kyle Lowry (left knee soreness) are questionable, and Nikola Jovic (back spasms) is out.
KEY STAT: Regardless of today’s outcome, the Magic will finish their 2022-23 campaign with at least 12 more wins than last season (22-60). It’s truly a remarkable feat, especially when you consider that Orlando tipped off its NBA calendar with a 5-20 record. With a 29-27 record over their subsequent 56 contests, the Magic definitely have plenty of momentum to build on heading into next season.
QUOTE TO NOTE: “First of all, the team started 5-20 in the first twenty-five games. After that, you look at the games, what this team has done with these young guys, I think it’s really, really exciting to see what’s going to happen next year. We just have to work together on the little details. There have been a lot of close games since I have come here too and before that as well. I’ve been following. So, it’s just really exciting.” – Bitadze on the Magic
HOW TO WATCH: Watch the game on Bally Sports Florida or tune in on radio via FM 96.9 The Game.