Seeding games power ranking: OKC Thunder defense bolsters their position

AUGUST 09: Terrance Ferguson #23, Darius Bazley #7, Chris Paul #3, Devon Hall #14, and Luguentz Dort #5 of the OKC Thunder celebrate after defeating the Washington Wizards (Photo by Kim Klement - Pool/Getty Images)
AUGUST 09: Terrance Ferguson #23, Darius Bazley #7, Chris Paul #3, Devon Hall #14, and Luguentz Dort #5 of the OKC Thunder celebrate after defeating the Washington Wizards (Photo by Kim Klement - Pool/Getty Images) /
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OKC Thunder Team Previews
OKC Thunder Team Previews: Mo Bamba #5, Aaron Gordon #00, and Jonathan Isaac #1 of the Orlando Magic (Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Orlando Magic:

A poor showing by the Orlando Magic can be partially attributed to injuries. The team just got back their defensive leader and on the verge of stardom Jonathan Isaacs and then he tore his ACL and will be lost for the entirety of next season.

Aaron Gordon began the seeding games well and then suffered a hamstring strain in the match versus the Raptors.

Mo Bamba had an opportunity to step up in the absence of Isaac and Gordon but the team sent him home due to complications from contracting COVID-19 prior to coming to the bubble.

Unfortunately, all the injuries didn’t allow the Magic to reap the benefits of the 18th easiest strength of schedule where they faced opponents with a cumulative win total of 283.

Steve Clifford gets his teams amped up for competition and no doubt they’ll bring physicality and aggressive play when they face the best team in the association. It’ll likely result in another early exit from the postseason.

Seeding Game Results:

Magic 128 – Nets 118
Magic 132 – Kings 116
Pacers 120 – Magic 109
Raptors 109 – Magic 99
76ers 108 – Magic 101
Celtics  122 – Magic 119 in OT
Nets 108 – Magic 96
Magic 133 – Pelicans 127