Orlando Magic guard Melvin Frazier Jr. (35) shoots against New Orleans Pelicans forward Kenrich Williams during the second half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, Aug. 13, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (Kim Klement/Pool Photo via AP)

Magic, Heat Set for Playoffs

Two weeks after the return, the NBA playoffs are a go. On Tuesday, the Orlando Magic and Miami Heat will get their first rounds started.

Orlando Could Use Some Magic Against Milwaukee

The Magic finished the regular season as the eighth seed in the Eastern Conference. This means they get to be the Milwaukee Bucks’ first opponent in the playoffs. The Magic were the eighth seed last year as well when they fell to the champion Toronto Raptors in five games. The Magic enter a little battered, too.

While there is still hope for Aaron Gordon to play, they will be without Jonathan Isaac, Michael-Carter Williams and Mo Bamba. Bamba isn’t the biggest loss for the Magic, but not having Isaac will be felt. If Gordon is unable to play, the Magic would be without two of their top forwards to start the series.

According to ESPN.com, the Bucks are favored in Game 1 by 11.5 points. Getting Gordon back wouldn’t change things by much, but it would allow Orlando to put up a better fight.

Can Miami Heat Up?

The terrible puns are over now.

The Miami Heat play the Indiana Pacers in the first round. These teams are pretty familiar with each other by this point. The Heat and Pacers played each other in two of the last three games before the playoffs. The Pacers won both games. The Heat were held to 92 points both games and lost by double digits both times.

Despite the outcomes of both games, Miami is favored in Game 1. Though, if the Pacers were guaranteed to have all of their top players in Game 1, it might be different. Indiana might be without shooting guard Victor Odalpido, center Myles Turner and forward TJ Warren. However, all three players are listed as day-to-day, so Indiana won’t be without them for the whole series, most likely.

The Heat looked like they would be without a key player. However, per the Sun Sentinal, Kendrick Nunn will be available off the bench to start the series. Not the best-case scenario for the Heat, but better than Nunn being out completely, and it gives them a boost in trying to knock out the Pacers.

About Harrison Smajovits

Harrison is a sports coordinator at ESPN 98.1 FM/850 AM WRUF. He served as a beat writer for Florida Gators football for the 2019 and 2020 seasons. He also contributes to WRUF's Gainesville Sports Center segments and makes appearances on the Clash on Harp on Sports. Harrison has been a content writer for WRUF since January 2019 as well.

Check Also

Orange & Blue Sports Network

Catch the student-led broadcasts from the College of Journalism and Communications right here.

LIVE THREAD: National Signing Day

Here’s an updated thread of all the recruits who picked the Gator hat today! RB …

AFC Divisional Round Preview: Pittsburgh Steelers

During last weekend’s NFL Wild Card round, the Steelers made a statement by handing the Dolphins a …

Houston Looking For an Upset in Foxborough

The saying has always been “it’s hard to beat a good team twice,” and in …

Blue Jackets vs. Lightning Tonight

The Columbus Blue Jackets and the Tampa Bay Lightning will be facing each other once …

Possible Additions to McElwain’s Recruiting Class Visiting this Weekend

With National Signing Day less than three weeks away, the Gators are hosting several talented …

Florida Gymnastics Prepares for Season Opener

https://vimeo.com/198372157 GAINESVILLE, FL – The Florida Gator gymnastics team will kick off their season this …

Surprised Gators Promote Randy Shannon To Defensive Coordinator? You Shouldn’t Be

Florida’s head coach, Jim McElwain, announced Friday morning that Randy Shannon would be making the …

Quarterbacks in Spotlight for NFL Wild Card Weekend

The NFL Wild Card kicks off Saturday and the quarterback situations could not be any more different. On …

College Football Playoff Shakes Up Schedule

The College Football Playoff was a success in its first year. Yet, that doesn’t stop …

Michael Jordan Speaks out about Shootings, Police Officers

NBA great Michael Jordan opened up about his thoughts about shootings of African-Americans and the …

Treon Harris to Transfer

With the college football season approaching, the Florida Gators have announced that former starting QB …

USA Basketball Wins Second Exhibition Game

Just a few short days after their big win over Argentina, team USA won its …

Charlotte Is No Longer The Home Of The 2017 NBA All-Star Game

The House Bill 2 came between Charlotte, North Carolina and the 2017 All-Star Game. The …

Tampa Bay Rays Continue Series Against Oakland

The Tampa Bay Rays are continuing their three-game winning streak. The Rays defeated the Oakland …

MLB Preview Tonight

It’s summer time—the best time to go to a baseball game and experience the atmosphere. …

Braves Begin Series With Rockies

The Atlanta Braves (33-62) open up a four-game road series with the Rockies (43-51) tonight …

Marlins To Close Out Series With The Phillies

The Miami Marlins are in the middle of a crucial ten game span against NL East …

Rays Crush Rockies 11-3, Face A’s Next

In the midst of a terrible season that has seen the Tampa Bay Rays (37-57) …

American League Second Half Outlook

The second half of the baseball season is in full swing which translates to? Pennant races. Teams …

National League Evening Preview

Tonight is a busy night for the National League in the MLB. Starting with the …

Big 12 Looks To Expand

Following a Tuesday meeting between Big 12 presidents, Oklahoma president David Boren announced that the …

LSU Looks To Capitalize On Its Opportunity

The Louisiana State University Tigers will enter the 2016 college football season with high expectations, …

Muschamp Helps Close Out SEC Media Days 2016

It wasn’t Will Muschamps first SEC Media Days experience, but 2016 marked the first time …

Phil Mickelson Leads British Open After First Day

The 145th annual 2016 British Open is underway at Royal Troon Golf Club in Scotland. The …

Missouri’s Football Crisis: Rebuilding A Program

On the final day of SEC Media Days, Barry Odom took the stand as Missouri’s head …

Second Half Of MLB Season Begins

The All-Star Break is a good time for teams to rest up and reform themselves …

British Open Underway

The 145th Open Championship is already underway at the Royal Troon Golf Club in Scotland. Welcome …

Saint Francis Catholic Girls Soccer Welcomes New Coach

After not having a coach last year, Saint Francis Catholic brings in Seay Stanford to …