NBA Announces Playoff Clinch Scenarios Ahead of Sixers vs. Magic

Friday’s game happens to be the biggest matchup of the year for the Philadelphia 76ers.

As the Orlando Magic come to town to take on the Sixers, there is a lot riding on the results of the game.

The Eastern Conference is currently in a tight race for playoff seeding. For weeks, the Boston Celtics had the top spot locked up, with the Milwaukee Bucks and the New York Knicks clinching recently.

Meanwhile, the Cleveland Cavaliers, Orlando Magic, Indiana Pacers, Miami Heat, and the Sixers are all battling for a top-six spot, attempting to avoid the Play-In.

Several games can have an impact on the playoff picture Friday night. On Friday morning, the NBA announced all of the possible playoff-clinching scenarios for the Sixers and the rest of the East.

Eastern Conference Clinch Scenarios

• Cavaliers clinch a playoff spot with a win vs. Pacers OR a Sixers loss

• Pacers clinch a playoff spot with a win vs. Cavaliers OR a Sixers loss

• The Heat lock in a Play-In appearance with a loss OR a Magic win

• Magic clinch a playoff spot with a win vs. Sixers

• A Sixers loss locks in a Play-In Tournament appearance for Philadelphia

For over a week, the Sixers knew they would have to win out to avoid the Play-In Tournament. Since the return of Joel Embiid, the Sixers haven’t been beaten.

Although they played two of their last six games without Embiid, the 76ers are on a six-game win streak with two matchups left in the season. A win over the Magic is a must for Philadelphia, as it would prevent two teams from clinching on Friday.

The Sixers and the Magic are set to tip-off at 7 PM ET on Friday.