ORLANDO, Fla. — The Orlando Magic’s 117-113 Thursday home loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers had consequences that impacted their chances of qualifying for postseason play.
With the defeat, the Magic (34-45) were eliminated from contending for a spot in the play-in tournament.
The Magic were four games behind the Chicago Bulls for the No. 10 seed in the East and Orlando’s “magic” number was one — meaning they’d be eliminated from postseason contention with the Bulls’ next win or the Magic’s next loss.
Orlando’s defeat came first.
The Nos. 7-10 seeds in each conference compete in the play-in tournament for the Nos. 7 and 8 spots in the playoffs.
The Magic were the last team in the East outside of the play-in to be eliminated.
For them, playing in a late-season game that mattered is a sign of they’re “leveling up” — their mantra since the end of last season.
“We’ve asked these guys to play meaningful basketball and our best basketball around this time,” coach Jamahl Mosley said pregame. “And not just for this moment, but for going forward. Regardless of whatever happens in each game, we want to be playing our best basketball.”
The Magic entered Tuesday winners in five of their last six games and six of the last eight.
Their defensive rating (points allowed per 100 possessions) of 107.2 since March 18 has been the league’s third-best mark only behind the New Orleans Pelicans (103.6) and Boston Celtics (106.9).
Orlando’s 25.8 fourth-quarter net rating (point differential per 100 possessions) during that stretch has been the league’s best mark.
“We’ve talked about hanging our hat on the defensive end,” Mosley said. “Being able to sit down and guard in the right moments. A couple of those games didn’t start out the way we wanted them to, but defensively towards the fourth quarter we’ve really sat down and guarded.”
The Magic stepped up defensively late, allowing only 24 points in the fourth, but they didn’t make the shots they needed down the stretch.
Paolo Banchero (20 points, 10 rebounds and four assists) missed a shot at the rim with Orlando trailing 115-111 with 41.3 seconds left.
The Magic got the defensive stop on the Cavaliers’ ensuing possession but Markelle Fultz (23 points, eight assists) missed a jumper from his spot in the midrange with 10 seconds remaining.
The Cavaliers, the No. 4 seed in the East, were playing for something, too.
They could move up to No. 3 or fall to No. 5 depending on how they close the season.
Donovan Mitchell, who averaged 42 points over his last three games, scored a game-high 43 points against the Magic.
He made a pair of late jumpers with less than two minutes remaining to give Cleveland a 115-109 lead with 1:19 left.
Darius Garland added 16 points and 10 assists.
“They’re the fourth seed for a reason. They have so many aspects to their game. Obviously, they have the number one defense,” Mosley said. “They make it difficult for you to score. Offensively, they have two dynamic guards that can get it going at any time.”
