OKC Thunder: Ladder shifts shake up tank wars in week 19, Ep. 3

Orlando Magic (19-43)

The team that benefitted the most by the Wolves collecting wins and moving up the ladder was the Orlando Magic. They drop down to the 28th spot on the ladder and subsequently within the 14 percent odds to win the top seed if they can maintain that position.

Orlando played two games so far losing to the Lakers and defeating the Cavaliers. This weekend they’ll face the Memphis Grizzlies in a home and home series.

With Memphis essentially tied with the Spurs but maintaining their hold on the eighth seed they’ll be invested in winning both games.

Of Orlando’s ten games remaining only two are against teams not seeding eighth or higher. One of those matches is against fellow tankers — the Wolves. With the Thunder only 1.5 games back of both those teams that will help OKC because one team has to collect a “W”.

At a minimum, Thunder Nation should be hoping for the Magic to beat the Wolves and the Pistons. In the event the Magic and Thunder were to finish with the same record, tiebreakers would be employed — or rather coin tosses.

It does seem like the Magic are as invested in losing as much as the Thunder. One exception is rookie  Cole Anthony who is delivering some of his best and most consistent performances of the season. Through the last seven games, he’s averaging 16.1 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 4.6 assists.