2023-2024 Regular Season Game 81: Orlando Magic (46-34) at Philadelphia 76ers (45-35) - 7pm

[basketballRob]

If we end up in a 3-way tie, I think we still do a coin toss for draft position. So we could get the 5th seed and still draft ahead of Philadelphia and Indiana/Toronto.

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[byeganyo]

I really do think the Bucks are going to lose intentionally on Sunday. They know for a fact they can and will beat the Magic without Giannis.

They can't guarantee that against Indiana and certainly not against Philadelphia.

That was my initial feeling, but then there are too many moving parts, Knicks and Cavs may have opinion too and lose their games for instance - who in their right mind will want Miami/Phili instead of Pacers/Orlando?
Also, why Dame didnt play against OKC? They started resting players or he is kept fresh for our game?

[thelead]

I honestly could not care less where we land after these last 10 games. Just ridiculous.

Yep. If we make the playoffs, cool but I honestly don't care if we wind up in the lotto.

The positives for the year (for me) are JI making it through the year healthy and Suggs' improvement. Everything else has been neutral or bad.

The Magic are still in the running for 5th seed and the season has become “neutral or bad”? Perspective guys. All we wanted from them to start the season was to make the playoffs and get experience. We’re on track to achieve that. That’s success.

I mean, Indiana has everything everyone has been asking for in a PG who can shoot, a high shooting team and they made a move for a veteran at the deadline - and they’re still tied with us. How doomed would we be feeling if we were them?

?

The reason why we have won 10 more games than last year is essentially the two positives I posted. Suggs' improvement and JI playing. Those are the things that led the potential 5th seed... or the lotto at 46 wins.

[BCS]

I really do think the Bucks are going to lose intentionally on Sunday. They know for a fact they can and will beat the Magic without Giannis.

They can't guarantee that against Indiana and certainly not against Philadelphia.

Only 1 hesitation there though. Do the Bucks trust the Pacers enought to beat the Hawks, because if the Pacers lose and Magic and Sixers win, they end up having to play the Sixers which is high risk. They might prefer trying to get the win and bump the Magic down to the play in and hope the Magic beat the Heat and they still get their team and also avoid Bos in the 2nd rd. I think they still play to win even if they rest Dame. A lot of box score watching during the game for sure though.

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[byeganyo]

I honestly could not care less where we land after these last 10 games. Just ridiculous.

Yep. If we make the playoffs, cool but I honestly don't care if we wind up in the lotto.

The positives for the year (for me) are JI making it through the year healthy and Suggs' improvement. Everything else has been neutral or bad.

The Magic are still in the running for 5th seed and the season has become “neutral or bad”? Perspective guys. All we wanted from them to start the season was to make the playoffs and get experience. We’re on track to achieve that. That’s success.

I mean, Indiana has everything everyone has been asking for in a PG who can shoot, a high shooting team and they made a move for a veteran at the deadline - and they’re still tied with us. How doomed would we be feeling if we were them?

2-10 record in the last 12 games against .500 teams makes the current state a bit less rosy than the standings will make you believe.

[basketballRob]

Tankathon is showing us with the 16th pick. That would be a good deal. Have the 5th seed and still be close to the lottery. Keyonte was picked 16th last year.

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[KillMonger]

I really do think the Bucks are going to lose intentionally on Sunday. They know for a fact they can and will beat the Magic without Giannis.

They can't guarantee that against Indiana and certainly not against Philadelphia.

Only 1 hesitation there though. Do the Bucks trust the Pacers enought to beat the Hawks, because if the Pacers lose and Magic and Sixers win, they end up having to play the Sixers which is high risk. They might prefer trying to get the win and bump the Magic down to the play in and hope the Magic beat the Heat and they still get their team and also avoid Bos in the 2nd rd. I think they still play to win even if they rest Dame. A lot of box score watching during the game for sure though.

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We are a much better team at home so lets hope we can get it done and not have to worry about this

[eyriq]

If the Bucks win they get the 2nd seed and a matchup against either the Heat or Magic. I don't think they tank.

[basketballRob]

If the Bucks win they get the 2nd seed and a matchup against either the Heat or Magic. I don't think they tank.

I think it would be the Heat because that would mean they win the division.

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[thelead]

Paolo Banchero has a true shooting percentage of 48.9 in his last 10 games

This dude needs a break and a lot of practice afterwards. That is REALLY bad.

[JF5]

Yep. If we make the playoffs, cool but I honestly don't care if we wind up in the lotto.

The positives for the year (for me) are JI making it through the year healthy and Suggs' improvement. Everything else has been neutral or bad.

The Magic are still in the running for 5th seed and the season has become “neutral or bad”? Perspective guys. All we wanted from them to start the season was to make the playoffs and get experience. We’re on track to achieve that. That’s success.

I mean, Indiana has everything everyone has been asking for in a PG who can shoot, a high shooting team and they made a move for a veteran at the deadline - and they’re still tied with us. How doomed would we be feeling if we were them?

2-10 record in the last 12 games against .500 teams makes the current state a bit less rosy than the standings will make you believe.

And? The goal is to make the playoffs. Everything else doesn't matter right now. It's annoying about the doom and gloom around here.

[byeganyo]

If the Bucks win they get the 2nd seed and a matchup against either the Heat or Magic. I don't think they tank.

I think it would be the Heat because that would mean they win the division.

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that's the point of the play in, to decide who is 7th?

[eyriq]

Paolo Banchero has a true shooting percentage of 48.9 in his last 10 games

This dude needs a break and a lot of practice afterwards. That is REALLY bad.

The misses at the rim really bug me.

[Knightro]

There's a chance, albeit not a significant one, that the Bucks could end up playing the Sixers anyway even if they beat the Magic.

If the Bucks win on Sunday and clinch the 2 seed, they could still play Philly if Indiana and Miami both win and the Sixers lose to the Nets.

That would require the Sixers beating the Magic in the 7/8, but that seems likely if it goes down that way.

[byeganyo]

The Magic are still in the running for 5th seed and the season has become “neutral or bad”? Perspective guys. All we wanted from them to start the season was to make the playoffs and get experience. We’re on track to achieve that. That’s success.

I mean, Indiana has everything everyone has been asking for in a PG who can shoot, a high shooting team and they made a move for a veteran at the deadline - and they’re still tied with us. How doomed would we be feeling if we were them?

2-10 record in the last 12 games against .500 teams makes the current state a bit less rosy than the standings will make you believe.

And? The goal is to make the playoffs. Everything else doesn't matter right now. It's annoying about the doom and gloom around here.

The goal is to make the playoffs, but we are playing like **** lately, so we are discussing how we look lately, not 4 monts ago.

[Knightro]

If the Bucks win they get the 2nd seed and a matchup against either the Heat or Magic. I don't think they tank.

Not necessarily.

They'd get the winner of the 7/8 play in game, but that could still be any combo of Philly, Miami, Orlando, Indiana depending on how Sunday's games play out.

I'm not sure if Milwaukee wants to see Miami anyway potentially without Giannis.

[thelead]

On a positive note, Jalen Suggs has a true shooting percentage of 64.3 in his last 30 games. That is amazing and the sample size is large. He's at 60.3% for the season with a likely all-defensive nod. What a hell of a turnaround for him.

[KillMonger]

Paolo Banchero has a true shooting percentage of 48.9 in his last 10 games

This dude needs a break and a lot of practice afterwards. That is REALLY bad.

If we win sunday we get a week off right? maybe the rest will do his body good

[JF5]

2-10 record in the last 12 games against .500 teams makes the current state a bit less rosy than the standings will make you believe.

And? The goal is to make the playoffs. Everything else doesn't matter right now. It's annoying about the doom and gloom around here.

The goal is to make the playoffs, but we are playing like **** lately, so we are discussing how we look lately, not 4 monts ago.

They're slumping at the wrong time... but it's about making the playoffs. So everything else is just noise...

Win, and get in...

[CocoaFan]

After we win Sunday and are the 5th seed (after winning the tie breaker with Sixers and Pacers) everyone can take a deep breath and stop the Paolo sucks talk and get ready to take on the Cavs!