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

[Message Boar]

I think there's a chance the Bucks intentionally tank the game on Sunday to ensure the Magic in 4/5 since that's probably the best matchup for them.

I completely agree, I think they already started doing it by sitting Dame tonight.

Or they figured game at OKC is a schedule loss and saved Lillard for us

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We'll see. From their perspective I'd want the Magic in round one (an avoid any scenario where you play the sixers(. OTOH I'd want to avoid the Celtics as long as possible.

[byeganyo]

I think there's a chance the Bucks intentionally tank the game on Sunday to ensure the Magic in 4/5 since that's probably the best matchup for them.

But if Atlanta beats Indiana they get Philadelphia then.

[richi_v25]

We can only theorize so much, we'll see tomorrow with the injury report

We still should give them a fight if they dont sit anybody.. get that home energy with some fight.. we've beaten way better teams

Yeah but not this week.

[Knightro]

I think there's a chance the Bucks intentionally tank the game on Sunday to ensure the Magic in 4/5 since that's probably the best matchup for them.

But if Atlanta beats Indiana they get Philadelphia then.

Sure. But Indiana is at home and they desperately want to win the game, whereas Atlanta is locked into their seeding.

[basketballRob]

I think there's a chance the Bucks intentionally tank the game on Sunday to ensure the Magic in 4/5 since that's probably the best matchup for them.

But if Atlanta beats Indiana they get Philadelphia then.

Sure. But Indiana is at home and they desperately want to win the game, whereas Atlanta is locked into their seeding.

It's sounds like the odds are we'll end up 5th, but who knows, we could lose to the Bucks 3rd team.

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[thelead]

I think there's a chance the Bucks intentionally tank the game on Sunday to ensure the Magic in 4/5 since that's probably the best matchup for them.

But if Atlanta beats Indiana they get Philadelphia then.

Sure. But Indiana is at home and they desperately want to win the game, whereas Atlanta is locked into their seeding.

Atlanta is playing their deep bench against Minnesota's starters right now. Indiana has a layup on Sunday.

[basketballRob]

Doc would probably love to be responsible for Philly being in the play-in.

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[byeganyo]

But if Atlanta beats Indiana they get Philadelphia then.

Sure. But Indiana is at home and they desperately want to win the game, whereas Atlanta is locked into their seeding.

Atlanta is playing their deep bench against Minnesota's starters right now. Indiana has a layup on Sunday.

LOL and they are tied against Minnestota, what kind of arguement is this?

My point is Bucks dont control Indiana game, so they can not tank to play with us, sure they can rest players anyway...

[RichCollab]

We have our 2nd playin game on Sunday. Let’s win this one?

[Knightro]

1. Celtics v. 8 Heat
2. Knicks v. 7 Sixers
3. Cavs v. 6. Pacers
4. Bucks v. 5. Magic

Is what I'm thinking.

[thelead]

Sure. But Indiana is at home and they desperately want to win the game, whereas Atlanta is locked into their seeding.

Atlanta is playing their deep bench against Minnesota's starters right now. Indiana has a layup on Sunday.

LOL and they are tied against Minnestota, what kind of arguement is this?

My point is Bucks dont control Indiana game, so they can not tank to play with us, sure they can rest players anyway...

the deep bench lost the lead

Trea played tonight and was +16. The point is Atlanta doesn't care about wins at this point. Indy does.

No point in arguing though. This magic team doesn't deserve this much attention from us.

[VFX]

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

[Knightro]

Sure. But Indiana is at home and they desperately want to win the game, whereas Atlanta is locked into their seeding.

Atlanta is playing their deep bench against Minnesota's starters right now. Indiana has a layup on Sunday.

LOL and they are tied against Minnestota, what kind of arguement is this?

My point is Bucks dont control Indiana game, so they can not tank to play with us, sure they can rest players anyway...

You are correct that the Bucks can't officially control what the Hawks do, but Atlanta has also lost 5 in a row and has seemingly been playing out the string for the last two weeks since they've more or less been locked into the 10 seed for the last month.

[basketballRob]

1. Celtics v. 8 Heat
2. Knicks v. 7 Sixers
3. Cavs v. 6. Pacers
4. Bucks v. 5. Magic

Is what I'm thinking.

That would be extra motivation for the Bucks to win Sunday. They don't want to play the Celtics in the second round.

It's possible they try to rest Giannis against us.

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[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.

[thelead]

1. Celtics v. 8 Heat
2. Knicks v. 7 Sixers
3. Cavs v. 6. Pacers
4. Bucks v. 5. Magic

Is what I'm thinking.

That would be extra motivation for the Bucks to win Sunday. They don't want to play the Celtics in the second round.

It's possible they try to rest Giannis against us.

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they can rest Giannis against us and still win. They can't do that against any other team.

Gotta make it to the second round before worrying about your second round opponent.

[basketballRob]

1. Celtics v. 8 Heat
2. Knicks v. 7 Sixers
3. Cavs v. 6. Pacers
4. Bucks v. 5. Magic

Is what I'm thinking.

That would be extra motivation for the Bucks to win Sunday. They don't want to play the Celtics in the second round.

It's possible they try to rest Giannis against us.

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they can rest Giannis against us and still win. They can't do that against any other team.

Gotta make it to the second round before worrying about your second round opponent.

They don't know about the Wrath of Goga that's going to happen in the playoffs. Mosely probably felt like Christmas came early when he saw Wendell holding his back.

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[Knightro]

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.

[byeganyo]

Atlanta is playing their deep bench against Minnesota's starters right now. Indiana has a layup on Sunday.

LOL and they are tied against Minnestota, what kind of arguement is this?

My point is Bucks dont control Indiana game, so they can not tank to play with us, sure they can rest players anyway...

You are correct that the Bucks can't officially control what the Hawks do, but Atlanta has also lost 5 in a row and has seemingly been playing out the string for the last two weeks since they've more or less been locked into the 10 seed for the last month.

They are a bit weird, arent they? Had the lead against Wolves with 2 minutes to go, but lost the game, lost 15 pts led against Hornets in the 4th quarter, Miami needed 2 OTs to beat them, so maybe they are due an illogical win... And they had 30pts comeback against Boston 2 weeks ago. Indiana are favourites, but Atlanta sre streaky as hell and i can see a possible upset there, which would be good for us, because it means we finish above Pacers even if Bucks beat us.. but then if Miami wins, they jump over both teams. The last day can have some crazy outcomes.

[Bensational]

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?