For the Miami Heat and the Orlando Magic, the playoffs begin on Tuesday, March 26th. Separated now by just half a game in the standings, the eighth-place Heat will host the ninth-place Magic in the biggest game of the season for both teams, essentially playoff game one.
The Magic are coming off a blowout victory over the Philadelphia 76ers, a 119-98 demolition which was barely in doubt after the midway point of the third quarter. The Sixers were without Ben Simmons, but otherwise were healthy, so this was a remarkable win.
The Magic are on a five-game winning streak, and they’re not just winning, they’re crushing teams.