Magic Favored to Win Southeast Division for First Time with 6 Games Remaining
- The Orlando Magic are now favored to win the NBA’s Southeast Division title
- The Magic last won the division in 2009-10
- Orlando was 25-57 last season
Can Orlando do magic? The sportsbooks are beginning to believe so.
With 2 weeks to go in the season, 10 teams are still in the East playoff race. Here are their current records vs the other 9 teams…? pic.twitter.com/9Qi2vSK8dF
— Orlando Magic (@OrlandoMagic) March 28, 2019
For the first time during the 2018-19 NBA season, the Orlando Magic are being favored to wear the NBA’s Southeast Division crown.
2018-19 Southeast Division Odds
| Team | 2018-19 Southeast Division Odds |
|---|---|
| Orlando Magic | +115 |
| Miami Heat | +175 |
| Charlotte Hornets | +215 |
*Odds taken 03/29/19
Orlando last were champions of the Southeast Division in 2009-10, part of a three-season reign over the group that began in 2007-08.
The Case for the Magic
Thursday’s 115-98 loss to the Pistons in Detroit brought a halt to Orlando’s six-game winning streak. That was the longest run of wins assembled by the team in eight years.
?We won our 37th game vs. Miami on Tuesday.
?The 37 wins are a 12-game improvement from last season, with 7 games still to play.
?It ties for the 4th-largest win improvement in team history. pic.twitter.com/o6PZHOxISP— Orlando Magic (@OrlandoMagic) March 28, 2019
The stretch of success included comeback wins over the Memphis Grizzlies, Miami Heat, and Philadelphia 76ers. But it should also be noted that five of those six wins came at home, where Orlando is 23-16. But that one road win was an all-important victory over division rival Miami. The Magic are 14-23 on the road.
The Magic will play four of their six remaining games away, including trips to Indiana, Toronto, Boston and a season-ending tilt at Charlotte.
— Orlando Magic (@OrlandoMagic) March 28, 2019
Orlando has won 17 of 25 thanks to a stifling defense that ranks sixth in the NBA in points allowed per game (106.2).
The Case for the Heat
The best news for the Heat might be that five of their last seven games are on the road. Miami is 19-17 away, as opposed to a dismal 18-21 at home.
⚡️ @DwyaneWade seals the @MiamiHEAT victory with the steal & transition layup!#OneLastDance #HeatCulture pic.twitter.com/YugICHa5qq
— NBA (@NBA) March 29, 2019
In guard Dwyane Wade’s swan-song season in the NBA, Miami used its 25th starting lineup of the season in Thursday’s win at Dallas. Perhaps that explains the Heat’s perplexing inconsistency. They recently won road games at Oklahoma City and San Antonio. Then they lost at home to the Magic and struggled to beat a weak Mavericks squad.
It was a battle until the end but your @MiamiHEAT come out on top tonight! pic.twitter.com/KsRl5MxMIL
— Miami HEAT (@MiamiHEAT) March 29, 2019
Defensively, Miami is even better than Orlando. The Heat are fourth overall, allowing 105.8 ppg. But they are 28th in offense (105.7 ppg).
The Case for the Hornets
Charlotte is terrible on the road (11-24) and will play six of its last eight games in enemy territory. An ugly four-game western road swing begins Friday at the Lakers and also includes stops in Golden State, Utah and New Orleans.
Already two games behind in the win column, the Hornets will be finished if they come out of that set any worse than 2-2.
"The biggest thing we have going for us right now is we've got a little bit of momentum. We've won four in a row. I think guys feel pretty good about their games individually. We definitely feel good about how we've been playing collectively." – Marvin Williams #Hornets30 pic.twitter.com/MS6a9Ltsue
— Charlotte Hornets (@hornets) March 29, 2019
A four-game win streak has given the Hornets a glimmer of hope, but it came on the heels of a 5-13 skid.
Southeast or South-Worst?
Whichever of these three teams ultimately raises a Southeast Division championship banner to the rafters, it could be a history-making moment.
? @DetroitPistons move up in the East
? @MiamiHEAT slide to 8th
? @utahjazz clinch15 days away… the #NBAPlayoffs if they started today.
?: https://t.co/kz3Fk0WXK0 pic.twitter.com/eQCfmKC8dY
— NBA.com/Stats (@nbastats) March 29, 2019
No NBA team has ever won a division title with a losing record. But the Magic (37-39), Heat (37-38) and Hornets (35-39) are all running below .500 right now.
One of them has to emerge. We still think the Heat turn it up when it matters and win it for D-Wade.
Pick: Miami Heat (+175)
An industry veteran, Bob literally taught the course on the history of sports at Elder College. He has worked as a Sports Columnist for Postmedia, appeared as a guest on several radio stations, was the Vice President of the Society For International Hockey Research in Ontario, and written 25 books.
