News Category: Orlando Magic

Cavaliers ‘chase’ perfection as series shifts to Orlando

The Cleveland Cavaliers bid to push the Magic to the brink of elimination on Thursday night when they play Game 3 of their Eastern Conference first-round series in Orlando, Fla. Donovan Mitchell paced the fourth-seeded Cavaliers to a pair of victories in Cleveland to begin the best-of-seven series. The five-time All-Star scored 30 points in the Cavaliers’ 97-83 win over the fifth-seeded Magic in the series opener on Saturday and 23 in a 96-86 victory

Donovan Mitchell ‘setting a tone’ as Cavs set for Game 2 vs. Magic

Donovan Mitchell appears to have fully put his knee injury behind him. The Cavaliers star got off to a strong start in the first-round matchup against the Orlando Magic and looks to help his team take a 2-0 lead in the Eastern Conference series when the teams meet Monday night in Cleveland. Mitchell scored 30 points on 11-of-21 shooting in Game 1 as the Cavaliers produced a 97-83 home victory. “It’s all about setting a

Magic-Cavaliers series features clash of similar, stingy styles

The chase for the Larry O’Brien Trophy begins in the Eastern Conference on Saturday when the No. 4 seed Cleveland Cavaliers host the No. 5 seed Orlando Magic in Game 1 of their opening-round series. Saturday marks Orlando’s first playoff contest since bowing out to Milwaukee in the first round of the 2020 playoffs in the Orlando-area bubble. Despite qualifying for the postseason in 2019-20, that season marked the first of four straight that ended

Joel Embiid ramping up as 76ers clash with Magic

Even though he’s still trying to get back up to speed following a 29-game absence, Joel Embiid intends to do everything in his power to guarantee the Philadelphia 76ers a spot in the postseason. Currently in seventh in the Eastern Conference and headed for the play-in, Philadelphia can take hold of the No. 6 seed when it faces the visiting Orlando Magic on Friday night. The 76ers (45-35) have been on a tear, using six

Giannis Antetokounmpo’s status uncertain as Bucks host Magic

The Milwaukee Bucks host the Orlando Magic on Wednesday night in their final home game of the regular season. Milwaukee (48-31) ended its four-game losing streak on Tuesday night with a 104-91 victory over the Boston Celtics. Patrick Beverley, who moved into the starting lineup in place of Malik Beasley, led the way for Milwaukee with 20 points and 10 rebounds. Both totals represented his most as a member of the Bucks. Despite the win,

Magic eye East’s No. 2 spot, while Rockets aim to finish strong

The pressing need for a victory was front and center for the Orlando Magic on Sunday coming off a surprising loss to the Charlotte Hornets that snapped a timely three-game winning streak. Their response, a 113-98 home win over the Chicago Bulls, fulfilled their primary objective and continued a season-long trend of embracing immediate challenges. The Magic (46-32) seized control in the first quarter and carried a 17-point lead into the second quarter, setting a

Pursuing playoff spot, Magic out to avoid distractions vs. Hornets

The Charlotte Hornets probably could benefit from a distraction in the final weeks of the season. The Orlando Magic really can’t afford to lose focus. The teams meet Friday night in Charlotte, where Hornets coach Steve Clifford is bound to draw attention. There has been time to digest Wednesday’s announcement that Clifford will step down as Charlotte’s coach at season’s end and likely to move into a front-office role. “It’s what I need, I feel,”

Magic, Pelicans have similar mindsets entering key matchup

Two teams desperately trying to avoid falling into play-in territory in their respective conferences go head-to-head Wednesday night when the Orlando Magic visit the New Orleans Pelicans. Both the Magic (44-31) in the East and Pelicans (45-30) in the West reside in the top six of the standings, but a run of losses in a road-heavy season-ending schedule could change that. Orlando seemingly has righted itself with two consecutive victories following three losses in a

Magic look to turn around fortunes vs. reeling Grizzlies

The Orlando Magic are entering uncharted territory as they look to secure their first playoff berth since the 2019-20 season. The past few weeks have been a learning experience for the Magic (42-31), who will host the Memphis Grizzlies (24-49) on Saturday night. The injury-plagued Grizzlies lost for the sixth time in their last seven games with a 136-124 setback at home to the Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday. Memphis will begin a three-game trip

Clippers host Magic, look to improve position in conference standings

Playoff contenders in the Eastern and Western conferences converge on Friday when the Orlando Magic continue an eight-game homestand against the visiting Los Angeles Clippers. Both Orlando (42-30) and Los Angeles (45-27) come into Friday’s matchup jockeying for home-court advantage in the postseason, with the Clippers sitting in fourth place in the West through Wednesday. After dropping their second straight with a 101-93 defeat to the Golden State Warriors on Wednesday, the Magic ended the