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Magic look to move closer to clinching playoff berth

Mar 15, 2008 - 1:59 PM Indiana (25-40) at Orlando (43-24) 7:00 pm EDT

ORLANDO, Florida (Ticker) - The Orlando Magic guaranteed themselves their first winning season in five years with a win on Wednesday. In the weak Eastern Conference, that means they are close to clinching a playoff berth.

The Magic continue their push toward their second straight playoff appearance on Saturday when they host the Indiana Pacers.

In the Eastern Conference where over 24 1/2 games separate first and eighth place, Orlando finds itself in prime position to lock up a playoff berth during a four-game homestand starting on Saturday. With a magic number of two, wins against Indiana and Cleveland on Monday will push the Magic into the postseason for the 10th time in team history.

With the way Orlando has been playing at home recently, accomplishing that feat should not be a problem. After starting the season 7-8 at home, the Magic have won 13 of their last 17 at Amway Arena, including seven of their last eight.

Orlando won its third straight game on Friday, 103-94, against the Miami Heat. Dwight Howard had 18 points and 16 rebounds for the Magic, who are chasing four straight victories for the first time since January 27-February 2.

While the Magic appear to be moving in on a top three seed in the playoffs, Indiana amazingly finds itself just two games out of the eighth seed despite being 15 games under .500. The Pacers lost for the fourth time in five games on Friday in a 116-97 setback to the Dallas Mavericks - Indiana's 17th loss in its last 21 road contests.

Ronald Murray led Indiana with 22 points while Danny Granger, who has averaged 28 points in two meetings against the Magic this season, scored just 11 before fouling out.