Magic make Pacers disappear from playoffs with ugly win

Coach Brian Hill joked that he had some champagne "back in his office". Dwight Howard, a 58% free throw shooter, had to make a clinching free throw to win the game. Hedo Turkoglu, who has blocked all of 12 shots all year, had to swat 2 shots in the last possession to seal the game. It wasn't easy, but the Magic somehow pulled the magic rabbit out at the end to make it to the playoffs for the first time since 2003 with a win over the hapless Boston Celtics.

After starting the year out hot, the Magic have been so up and down its hard to tell which team will show up on a given night. Even guard Jameer Nelson was confused by the crowd's turning of cheers to boos to cheers to boos. One thing is for sure: this team entertains and can give heart attacks at the same time.

Orlando's big win pushed the Pacers out of the playoffs, who will be probably cleaning house, including shipping Jermaine O'Neal and coach Rick Carlisle. The Magic, although clinching their berth with 2 games to go, can actually finish in the sixth seed should the Wizards and the Nets lose their last two games. Ahhh, the wild and crazy Eastern conference.

Sometimes I believe teams are embarassed to be associated with it!

image: [Orlando Sentinel]

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Magic make Pacers disappear from playoffs with ugly win

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