As the Pacers try to hang on to a top-three seed in the Eastern Conference playoff race (they currently have a half-game lead over Philadelphia), it is all but imperative they take advantage of the rest of this three-game homestand. After two more winnable games against Orlando and Chicago, 10 of the Pacers' next 11 games come against teams with winning records, with eight of those 10 contests taking place on the road.
Orlando is five games below .500, but the Magic are currently just outside playoff position, a half-game behind Charlotte for the eighth and final postseason berth in the East. Orlando is chasing its first playoff appearance since 2012 and has played well of late, winning seven of its last nine games, including a win over the Warriors (minus Kevin Durant) on Thursday.
If Orlando does make the postseason, a big reason why will be the play of center Nikola Vucevic. The 7-footer is averaging 20.5 points, 12.1 rebounds, and 4.0 assists on the season and took part in his first All-Star Game last month.
Wheat Hotchkiss
https://www.nba.com/pacers/preview-pacers-magic-190302
