Orlando Magic Fans Need Not Panic: Orlando Will Not Face the Detroit Pistons in the First Round of the Playoffs

by Evan Dunlap on Apr 13, 2009 10:27 PM EDT in News

Where will amazing happen for the Orlando Magic this postseason? Well, after hosting two games at Amway Arena, they'll likely head to the United Center to take on the Chicago Bulls in the first round of the playoffs.

Thanks to the Bulls' come-from-behind victory over the Detroit Pistons tonight, the Orlando Magic are assured not to face the Pistons in the first round. Orlando is locked into the third seed, and the Pistons' loss ensures they cannot reach the sixth seed.

The feeling of relief I have is enormous. The championship window is still open! Celebrate!

The list of Orlando's playoff opponents has narrowed to two teams: Philadelphia and Chicago. Given Philly's recent 5-game losing streak, and the fact that its final two games are versus Boston and at Cleveland, it's hard to imagine its staying in 6th. Ergo, the Chicago Bulls are the Magic's most likely playoff opponent this year. There are two days left to sort everything out, though.

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The Big Bad Pistons...

I hope all you people who were so scared of the Magic facing the Big Bad Pistons in the first round are happy now.

The Pistons choked big-time against the Bulls, and will be lucky to win one game whethet they face Boston or Cleveland.

This would have been a great time for the Magic to get the Pistons’ monkey off their back.

by Mike from Illinois on Apr 13, 2009 10:39 PM EDT reply actions

I know there's plenty of Magic fans that feel the same way as you, so you're definitely not alone.

I'm the other guy at Third Quarter Collapse, with a Twitter account.

Used to mix the wine with the lean/Now we sip soda with the Barre/20 inch blades on the car - Pimp C

by erivera7 on Apr 13, 2009 11:31 PM EDT up reply actions

I won't lie. I did want to see Orlando play Detroit in the first round ..

.. but I’m not complaining that the matchup won’t take place. I’m more excited at the possibility of being able to see the Magic up here if the Bulls were to snag the #6 seed. I’m crossing my fingers.

I'm the other guy at Third Quarter Collapse, with a Twitter account.

Used to mix the wine with the lean/Now we sip soda with the Barre/20 inch blades on the car - Pimp C

by erivera7 on Apr 13, 2009 11:30 PM EDT up reply actions

A possible Magic/Bulls matchup...

I’m excited too about the possibility of seeing the Magic and the Bulls at the United Center if the Bulls maintain their number six seed… only thing is, I’ll be on vacation in Las Vegas from April 18th to the 24th, so I’ll have to wait until the playoff schedule is announced to make sure I’ll be back home when the Magic are in Chicago so I could go see them.

by Mike from Illinois on Apr 14, 2009 1:15 AM EDT up reply actions

So that rattling of the windows I felt was actually the simultaneous sigh of relief from fellow Magic fans, eh?

lol

by malars on Apr 13, 2009 10:41 PM EDT reply actions

Heh.

I actually tweeted a similar comment a few hours ago.

I'm the other guy at Third Quarter Collapse, with a Twitter account.

Used to mix the wine with the lean/Now we sip soda with the Barre/20 inch blades on the car - Pimp C

by erivera7 on Apr 13, 2009 11:33 PM EDT up reply actions

Note that I qualified the statement: first round

so if Detroit somehow scoots past Cleveland and Atlanta, it would await Orlando in the conference finals

Third Quarter Collapse: An Orlando Magic blog at SB Nation

by Evan Dunlap on Apr 13, 2009 10:44 PM EDT reply actions

did we sign the right ex-warrior?

Should we have signed Matt Barnes? They still have good SG’s on the roster.

"No matter where you go, you are what you are playa"-Jay Z

by Wmillion on Apr 13, 2009 10:58 PM EDT reply actions

Matt Barnes would have been the better signing, sure.

I'm the other guy at Third Quarter Collapse, with a Twitter account.

Used to mix the wine with the lean/Now we sip soda with the Barre/20 inch blades on the car - Pimp C

by erivera7 on Apr 13, 2009 11:33 PM EDT up reply actions

This is a bigger win than the team could have ever achieved in Milwaukee

by magic fanatic on Apr 13, 2009 11:13 PM EDT reply actions

btw Derrick Rose is a stud

"No matter where you go, you are what you are playa"-Jay Z

by Wmillion on Apr 13, 2009 11:22 PM EDT reply actions

Absolutely. A superstar in the making.

I'm the other guy at Third Quarter Collapse, with a Twitter account.

Used to mix the wine with the lean/Now we sip soda with the Barre/20 inch blades on the car - Pimp C

by erivera7 on Apr 13, 2009 11:33 PM EDT up reply actions

He is more D Wade then C Paul.

Shoot 1st PG

"No matter where you go, you are what you are playa"-Jay Z

by Wmillion on Apr 14, 2009 2:16 AM EDT up reply actions

6.2 assists per game is pretty good for a rookie

…which is what Rose is averaging, which is 16th in the NBA.

by Mike from Illinois on Apr 14, 2009 4:35 AM EDT up reply actions

yes sir..

Very good for a rookie D. Wade averages 6.7 Assist for his career. I could see D. Rose averaging 20 pts 8 asst for his career

"No matter where you go, you are what you are playa"-Jay Z

by Wmillion on Apr 14, 2009 2:16 PM EDT up reply actions

Great layup by Gordon to give the Bulls the 90-88 lead

He got clobbered too as he was going up, but no foul was called.

The Pistons had absolutely no clue on their ensuing possession; Wallace threw up an ugly air ball from three and the shot after that missed badly also.

by Mike from Illinois on Apr 13, 2009 11:40 PM EDT reply actions