76ers clinch No. 7
The Philadelphia 76ers beat the Orlando Magic in the play‑in to secure the Eastern Conference No. 7 seed and a first‑round matchup with the Boston Celtics. The win came off a defensive night that produced multiple steals and blocks en route to sealing the slot (x.com) (cbssports.com).
Philadelphia beat Orlando 109-97 on Wednesday night to lock up the Eastern Conference’s No. 7 seed and a first-round series against Boston. (nba.com) Tyrese Maxey scored 31 points, and rookie V.J. Edgecombe added 19 points and 11 rebounds in the play-in win at Xfinity Mobile Arena. Joel Embiid did not play because of illness. (espn.com) (usatoday.com) Philadelphia closed the game with its defense. The 76ers finished with 8 steals and 9 blocks, while Orlando shot 41% from the field and 26% from 3-point range. (usatoday.com) The play-in format gives the No. 7 and No. 8 teams two chances to reach the playoffs, and the winner of that game takes the No. 7 seed. Philadelphia used that path to move into the main bracket without needing a second elimination game. (nba.com) That changed the East bracket immediately. Boston, which finished 56-26, now opens the first round against a 76ers team that also finished 45-37 but had to come through the play-in. (nba.com) (usatoday.com) Orlando did not fall out of the postseason with the loss. The Magic, also 45-37, remained alive for the No. 8 seed after the defeat in Philadelphia. (espn.com) (cbssports.com) The Celtics-76ers series is scheduled to begin Sunday in Boston. NBA.com’s bracket lists Boston as the No. 2 seed and Philadelphia as the No. 7 seed in the Eastern Conference first round. (nba.com)
