The 2024-25 NBA Play-In tournament will commence with a clash between the Orlando Magic and the Atlanta Hawks at the Amway Center on Wednesday.
The winners of this tie will clinch the number seven seed in the Eastern Conference standings, while the losers will have one more opportunity to secure a playoff spot, albeit the number eight seed.
Match preview
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Having looked well on course to secure an automatic playoff spot at some stage of the campaign, the Orlando Magic fell off the pace in the final few months, largely due to injuries to several key stars.
After establishing themselves as one of the league's best duos en route to leading the Magic to a fifth-place finish last season, Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner could only play just 46 and 60 games respectively this time around.
Currently on a five-game winning streak, the Magic will conclude their regular-season journey with a clash against the Hawks later today before the teams meet for the third time in the space of seven days.
Given the dead rubber nature of Sunday's season finale, Jamahl Mosley will be expected to ring the changes just as he did in Saturday's resounding 129-115 triumph over the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
Led by Trevelin Queen's game-high 25 points, the Magic put up their third-most points in a game this term, a welcome development for a side who currently ranks in the bottom three for points per game as well as effective field-goal percentage.
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Like their upcoming opponents, the Atlanta Hawks were also in a strong position to clinch a guaranteed postseason berth at some point before going on to suffer a massive decline in the final few months of the campaign.
Just about managing to fend off the Chicago Bulls in the race for eighth spot, Quin Snyder's men are 4-6 over their last 10 games despite recently picking up back-to-back victories over the Brooklyn Nets and Philadelphia 76ers.
Racking up his 51st double-double of the campaign—the most by any guard—Trae Young was once again the point of difference, putting up 36 points and 11 assists last time out, while Caris LeVert chipped in with a season-high 31 points.
Taking part in their fourth-straight play-in tournament, the Hawks are definitely no strangers to this stage, and having progressed in two of their last three appearances, they will be confident of getting the job done once again.
However, Wednesday's visitors have already been beaten twice by the hosts since the turn of the year and will be wary of coming up short once again, which would leave their playoff hopes hanging in the balance.
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Team News
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Kobe Bufkin (shoulder instability), Jalen Johnson (torn labrum) and Larry Nance Jr (knee) are all ruled out for the season and will not play any part here for the Atlanta Hawks.
Clint Capela (metacarpal) has missed the last three weeks, and while he is closing in on a return to action, Wednesday's game will come too soon for the center.
Floor general Trae Young has recorded at least 20 points and 10 assists in each of his last four outings for the away side, making him one to keep an eye on here.
Orlando Magic duo Jalen Suggs and Moritz Wagner both underwent knee surgery earlier this year, ruling them out for the remainder of the 2024-25 campaign.
Other than that, the home side have everyone fit and available to participate here as one of the league's youngest teams set out in search of a playoff berth.
Orlando Magic possible starting five:
Joseph, Caldwell-Pope; Wagner, Banchero; Carter Jr
Atlanta Hawks possible starting five:
Young, Daniels; Risacher, Gueye; Okongwu
We say: Magic to win by 3+ points
With so much at stake, neither team needs any added incentive to be on their A-game, and we are expecting a keenly contested affair.
However, we are just about tipping the Magic to come away with a hard-fought win when all is said and done.
Adepoju Marvellous
