<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Orlando (34-44) at San Antonio (60-18) 8:30 pm EDT SAN ANTONIO (Ticker) -- The San Antonio Spurs can gain a huge advantage in the race for the best record in the Western Conference on Thursday, but they will have to topple the red-hot Orlando Magic to do so. The Spurs are 1 1/2 games ahead of Dallas (59-20) for the best record in the Southwest Division and the West, with the loser dropping to the fourth seed in the conference playoffs. A loss by San Antonio would also allow Detroit (63-15) to clinch the league's best record and have home-court advantage throughout the playoffs, including the Finals. The Magic have won six straight games and 10 of their last 11 to maintain a sliver of hope of reaching the postseason. However, they are three games behind both Chicago and Philadelphia (37-41) with only four games left. Orlando posted a 103-96 triumph over Toronto on Wednesday. Jameer Nelson scored 27 points for the Magic, who had all five starters score in double figures. </div> Preview Courtesy of NBA.com This game is a very important one for us if we want to stay in the mix for the eighth seed. We have done well against top teams (Mavs, Cavs, Pistons, and Heat) recently so hopefully we can keep it up tonight against the top seed Spurs. Also, don't expect the Spurs to take it easy in this game because the Western Conference first seed is still undecided. The Mavericks are only 1.5 games behind the Spurs for the top seed so the Spurs have something to play for tonight. I think this is going to be a good game and I'm anticipating a Howard-Duncan matchup down low. Also, Jameer has been on fire lately and it should be interesting to see if he can keep it up against Tony Parker who has been playing outstanding this season. Manu Ginobili won't be playing tonight due to an injury and that should give us somewhat of an edge. I expect this to be a low scoring game between two competitive teams. Normally, I would go with the Spurs here but with the way Orlando has been playing, how can you go against them? I'm predicting a Magic win, 94-88.
I don't see us winning this, but it's a must win for us. We absolutely have to win this game to have any chance. Hedo against his former team will be a great matchup as well as Dwight vs. Duncan.
Well I don't think we have a chance at the playoffs. Although, if we win tonight against the Spurs on the road, our team is gonna get some deserved respect. I'm hoping we get this win so bad, we're up by 4 at halftime... It's crazy. Go Magic!!!! Edit: Magic - 92 Spurs - 80 ... We rule.
We have to hope Philly and chicago only win 1 more game. We play each, so as long as we take care of our business we should be fine.
