Team concludes regular season with home games next week as it looks for first-round playoff bye
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Mac McClung had a couple big games on the road this week to help the Osceola Magic clinch a playoff spot and set a franchise record. PHOTO/KATIE WILLIAMS
The Osceola Magic had an eventful road trip to Alabama this week ahead of a week-long home stand that will mark the end of the regular season.
But that's not the end of the season, as the Magic (21-9) have clinched a spot in the NBA G League playoffs in April. Six teams make the playoffs from the Eastern Conference, and Osceola sits in first place, 2.5 games ahead of the Maine Celtics, Delaware Blue Coats and Indiana Mad Ants. The top two teams will earn first-round byes, and the higher-seeded teams will host. Osceola is also tied with the Western Conference's Stockton Kings for the best record in the entire G League.
On Tuesday, Mac McClung posted a double-double, recording a team-high 24 points and 11 assists, in a 142-118 Magic win over the Birmingham Squadron (14-18) that clinched Osceola a playoff spot. The Magic made 24 three-pointers on 53.3% shooting and went 54.9% from the floor. Meanwhile, the Osceola bench outscored Birmingham’s bench 60-22 and had eight players in double figures.
“It felt good to clinch a playoff spot, it's something to be proud of,” McClung said. “Our goal this season was to make the playoffs; now we're hoping to secure the number one seed. We're treating each game as a playoff game, doing our best to ensure we make all the right plays.”
On Thursday, the Magic didn't rest on being a playoff team, came out on fire and burned for four quarters against Birmingham. Osceola set a new franchise single-game scoring record in the 168-133 victory. Osceola outscored Birmingham 45-26 in the opening quarter and finished the first half with 85 points. McClung led the scoring with 40 points on 15-of-20 shooting and 6-of-9 from beyond the arc. Jett Howard (27 points), Trevelin Queen (22 points, 10 rebounds) and Kevon Harris (25 points) had big nights.
The offensive explosion came without the services of center D.J. Wilson, one of the team's leading scorers and rebounders, who officially signed with the Philadelphia 76ers on Sunday. Chris Walker played in his place and hit 6-of-7 shots, scored 15 points and grabbed a game-high 13 rebounds.
“Everyone was just making their shots,” McClung said. “We've got a lot of talented guys on our team. It's about us locking in and no one begging for the ball; everyone's focused. This is probably the most talented G League team I've ever been on. It's a lot of fun, and we're having a good time.”
Osceola Magic General Manager Kevin Tiller said the team has been fortunate with the make-up of the team — Orlando Magic two-way players Harris and Queen, first-round draft pick Howard, and G-Leaguers like two-time NBA Slam Dunk champion McClung, Walker, Miye Oni and Alex Morales.
"These are guys choosing to play together, and not be selfish," Tiller said. "And I can talk for days about Mac, he's a winner, all about the team ... and humble. Winning the Dunk Contest twice hasn't changed him."
Come see the team keep having a good time as they try to earn one of those first-round byes. The Magic host the Iowa Wolves (6-24) on Monday and Wednesday at 7 p.m., then welcome the Indiana Mad Ants (19-12), one of those teams tied for second in the East, on Friday and Saturday.
