Sixers defeat Orlando Magic to win seventh straight, stay in play-in contention

76ers on the verge of securing automatic postseason berth with a crucial win, but must win final game and get help.

The Philadelphia 76ers have had their sights set on a playoff berth, even during the toughest of times. With a recent 125-113 win over the Orlando Magic, they briefly moved up to sixth place in the Eastern Conference standings. However, they quickly dropped back to seventh after the Cleveland Cavaliers defeated the Indiana Pacers.

Currently, the Sixers, Magic, and Pacers all have the same 46-35 records. In order to secure a spot in the playoffs without having to go through the Play-In Tournament, Philadelphia must win their upcoming regular-season finale against the Brooklyn Nets and hope for a loss from either Indiana or Orlando.

The top six teams in each conference automatically qualify for the NBA playoffs, which are set to begin on April 20th. Teams that finish seventh through 10th will have to compete in the play-in tournament for the final two playoff spots, which will take place from Tuesday to Friday.

Teams that finish in seventh and eighth place will have two opportunities to win a play-in game, while the ninth and tenth place teams will face off, with the winner needing an additional victory to secure a playoff berth.

Despite still being in the play-in zone, the Sixers have managed to extend their winning streak to seven games. There was a moment of concern when Joel Embiid appeared to injure his left knee and had to briefly leave the court in the first half, but he returned in the second half and finished with an impressive 32 points, 13 rebounds, and seven assists.

Tyrese Maxey also had a scare after a collision in the fourth quarter but managed to contribute 28 points, including 11 in the final quarter. Kelly Oubre Jr. and Tobias Harris also made significant contributions to the team's victory, with 21 and 14 points respectively.

As the regular season comes to a close, the Sixers are determined to secure their spot in the playoffs and continue their winning streak. With a strong team effort and standout performances from key players, they are on the cusp of achieving their goal and making their postseason dreams a reality.

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