The Orlando Magic are set to face the Boston Celtics in a crucial game on Sunday as they aim to secure a spot outside of the play-in tournament.

Currently holding the seventh seed in the Eastern Conference with a record of 45-36, the Magic are tied with the sixth-seeded Toronto Raptors, who possess the tiebreaker advantage.

Orlando boosted their position by convincingly defeating the Chicago Bulls 127-103 in their previous game, extending their winning streak to five matches. Their victory ensured they cannot finish lower than eighth place.

In order to clinch the sixth seed, the Magic must defeat the Boston Celtics, who hold a record of 55-26, while also relying on the Toronto Raptors losing to the Brooklyn Nets. This upcoming game will mark the last of the regular season for both the Magic and the Celtics.

Coach Jamahl Mosley emphasized the importance of ball control and executing the game plan effectively against a defensively sound Boston team that excels in getting to the paint and shooting threes.

The Celtics are coming off a remarkable offensive performance where they equaled an NBA record by hitting 29 3-pointers in their recent 144-118 triumph over the New Orleans Pelicans. Sam Hauser led Boston with 24 points, sinking 8 of 12 from beyond the arc. Boston secured the second seed in the Eastern Conference with this victory.

Orlando, spearheaded by top scorers Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner, and Desmond Bane, will look to secure their fourth consecutive road win. Wagner’s return from injury has significantly contributed to the Magic’s resurgence. He expressed his focus on continuing to improve and aiming for a win against the Celtics.

Jaylen Brown, the leading scorer for the Celtics with an average of 28.7 points per game, will be a key player to watch in Sunday’s matchup. The tactical keys for both teams will revolve around executing their game plans effectively and maintaining high levels of communication and effort throughout the game.