The Orlando Magic have another alternative to check not often used lineups earlier than the 2023 season ends.
The Magic (34-47) will wrap up their season at 1 p.m. on Sunday in Miami (43-38) in a matchup during which neither workforce is more likely to play its high performers many minutes.
The Heat are locked in at No. 7 within the Eastern Conference, the highest spot to qualify for the postseason play-in event.
Miami will host the Atlanta Hawks on Tuesday on the newly-named Kaseya Center to find out who’ll be the No. 7 seed for the East’s playoff bracket and play the Boston Celtics within the first spherical. The loser will host the convention’s concluding play-in recreation on Friday to find out the No. 8 seed within the playoffs.
The Nos. 7-10 seeds in every convention compete within the play-in event for the Nos. 7 and eight spots within the playoffs.
After being eradicated from contending for a spot within the play-in event with their Tuesday loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers, the Magic shifted their focus to attempting out completely different rotations.
They sat their starters and didn’t play guard Cole Anthony, their high reserve, in Thursday’s residence loss to the Cavaliers.
Guard Markelle Fultz and ahead Franz Wagner had been out there and again with the beginning lineup alongside Anthony, guard Jalen Suggs and large man Goga Bitadze in Friday’s loss at Brooklyn.
Forward Paolo Banchero (again tightness), middle Wendell Carter Jr. (left hip soreness), ahead Jonathan Isaac (season-ending left interior thigh surgical procedure on March 3), guard Jay Scrubb (ineligible to play) and ahead Moe Wagner (sprained proper ankle) sat out.
Guard Gary Harris was additionally out there off the bench however didn’t play.
Banchero, Fultz, Harris and Franz Wagner are questionable to play in opposition to the Heat. Carter Jr., Isaac, Scrubb and Moe Wagner are listed as out.
Playing completely different teams and guys who weren’t beforehand within the rotation permits the Magic to collect intel they might not have had earlier within the season.
The loss to the Nets was the primary time Anthony, Fultz and Suggs began with one another.
“It’s great to get a look at it,” coach Jamahl Mosley stated of the completely different lineup mixtures. “To see what things work for us. What we can continue to improve on. The ability for these guys to compete no matter who steps on the floor. That’s one thing we need to continue to see with this group.”
Bitadze, who was already within the rotation as a backup large, is a participant who has capitalized on the elevated alternatives.
He had 15 rebounds — tying a career-high, together with 5 offensive boards — and 12 factors in opposition to the Nets for his second double-double of the season.
“I’m just trying to go out there and show everyone I’m giving 100% every time I step on the court: crash the glass, making the right decisions and right plays and set good screens for my teammates,” Bitadze stated. “I think people see that. They respect that. I get playing time and it pays off.”
This article first appeared on OrlandoSentinel.com. Email Khobi Price at [email protected] or comply with him on Twitter at @khobi_price.
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Source: www.bostonherald.com