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The Orlando Magic are one of the teams that will have their season extended for at least a few more weeks, as they officially clinch a playoff spot following their 116-108 win over the Boston Celtics.
The @OrlandoMagic are headed to the playoffs for the first time since 2012! 💫#PureMagic pic.twitter.com/Zq1Y3nNgxN
— NBA TV (@NBATV) April 8, 2019
This is the first time since 2012 that the Magic will see postseason action, and it was something that they have worked hard all season long to achieve.
All-Star center Nikola Vucevic had 25 points, 12 rebound and four assists to lead the Magic past the Celtics. Evan Fournier added 24 points, five boards and six dimes while Terrence Ross scored 26 points off the bench.
The Magic have now won three straight and eight of their last 10 games.
Orlando is now tied with the Brooklyn Nets for the sixth spot in the Eastern Conference, and both teams have one more game left. If the Magic win and the Nets lose, the former will hold onto the sixth seed while the latter will slide down to the seventh spot.
A few months ago, Magic forward Evan Fournier said that this season will be their last as a team if they don't make it to the playoffs. Since then, everyone on the team responded.
Led by Vucevic's stellar play, the team climbed from the 12th spot in the East to the ninth spot. At first, it looked like they will come up short, but the Miami Heat — who was at the eighth spot last week — lost back-to-back games to the Celtics, which allowed Orlando to sneak in the playoff race.
A potential first round match-up either against the Milwaukee Bucks or the Toronto Raptors awaits Orlando next week.
