When the spots are almost adjusted after the season, Indiana Pacers and Visiting Orlando Magic can choose to make a few start when teams meet on Friday night.
Indiana (49-31) provided the advantage of the first four seeds and home fields in the first round of playoffs with a 114-112 home win against Cleveland Cavaliers on Thursday.
“We congratulate the children.” He said. “We congratulate the fans who have a big part of this. But this is not a target. This is just a tool.”
Indiana organizes seed number 4 at the Eastern Conference and follows the New York Knicks (50-30) with two matches. Knicks would meet the seed number 3 with a victory or loss of Indiana.
Orlando (40-40) took the highest number of seeds and game tournaments in the East with a 96-76 home win against Boston Celtics on Wednesday.
The magic won four flat games and will host Miami Heat, Chicago Bulls or Atlant Hawks – Seed 8 on Tuesday.
Orlando coach Jamahl Mosley, “This group is extremely proud.” He said. “More than anything, to endure everything – injuries, men, children – and still move away … Giving yourself a safe seventh to yourself for the opportunity to enter the playoffs (worth praise).”
Franz Wagner scored 23 points and Cole Anthony added 18 to the win against Boston, which he listened to most of his norms. Wagner has 20 or more points in 12 straight matches.
“This was a great won,” Anthony said. “Everyone contributed. It was not a close game. Frankly, they did not play the majority of their men, but this league. And whenever you go to court and do business, this is a plus. The team is a big shout. This is a good gain and we should continue to build it.”
Orlando won two of the three meetings with Indiana this season. The teams came together on November 13, Wagner won 29 points in Magic’s 94-90 win.
Orlando, who entered the Friday game, wounded Wendell Carter Jr. (Hip) listed as Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (Knee), Cory Joseph (Knee), Paolo Banchero (ankle) and Wagner (Knee).
Caldwell-Pope was limited to seven minutes against Boston due to the painful left knee.
Indiana has won six plain games and needs a victory to secure the first 50 win season since 2013-14. After fighting at the beginning of the season, Pacers was 33-13 years since the calendar returned to 2025.
Indiana Point Guard Tyrese Haliburton said, “It is special for us to know what we’re going through to come here.” He said. “A special year away from the 50 wins season. A special year, especially how it started. We don’t get it slightly.”
Haliburton had 23 points, eight rebounds, 10 assists and three blocks against Cleveland on Thursday, which made four beginnings. When Haliburton scored 20 or more, Pacers rose to 25-3 this season.
Aaron Nesmith had 22 points and added 15 to Jarace Walker Cavaliers. Myles Turner finished with 13 points, seven rebounds and four blocks.
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