Biggest Gainers, Losers in the East
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso
PhilBoxing.com
Fri, 19 Apr 2024
The Orlando Magic and the Indiana Pacers, two teams that did not even make it to the play-in last season, are the biggest gainers in the NBA Eastern Conference this 2023-24 regular season.
Biggest losers are the New Jersey Nets, automatic playoff qualifiers at sixth, and the Toronto Raptors, ninth placer and play-in participant last season but fall to 11th and 12th this season. The Philadelphia 76ers likewise fall to 7th from third last season.
The Magic finished at fifth with a record of 47 wins and 35 losses while the Pacers came in at sixth, also with a 47-35 slate.
Orlando's continuously taking its chances on their 2022 first round draft pick Paulo Banchero, the NBA 2023 season rookie of the year paid off handsomely. Also instrumental to the Magic's rise is the continuous improving game of the Wagner brothers, Franz and Moritz which Orlando selected in the 2021 draft from Germany. Point guard Jalen Sugg likewise provided steadiness on the team with veteran smarts from Joe Ingles.
The Pacers obviously benefited from the addition of do-everything big man Paskal Siakam acquired through trade with Toronto.
However, both the Magics and the Pacers will be tested sternly in their first round playoff assignments against the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Milwaukee Bucks, respectively.
Last season, the Raptors were eliminated by the Chicago Bulls while the Nets were swept by the Philadelphia 76ers in the first round.
This season, despite not making it automatically to the playoffs, the Sixers have nevertheless advanced by defeating the Miami Heat for the 7th seed. Philadelphia will be up against #2 seed New York Knicks in their best of seven first round assignment.
The Heat will play Chicago Bulls, winner over the Atlanta Hawks, in a sudden death game for the 8th and final seed. The winner will go up against top seed Boston Celtics in the first round.
All best of seven series will be played on 2-2-1-1-1 format with the higher seeds holding the homecourt advantage.
The author Teodoro Medina Reynoso is a veteran boxing radio talk show host living in the Philippines. He can be reached at teddyreynoso@yahoo.com and by phone 09215309477.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Teodoro Medina Reynoso.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Good Prospects at Minimumweight, Light Fly, Super Bantam and Super Feather in 2025
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Sat, 23 Nov 2024Filipino International Master Chito Danilo Garma is the new World Senior Blitz champion; Filipino FIDE Master Mario Mangubat takes the bronze medal
By Marlon Bernardino, Sat, 23 Nov 2024KAMBOSOS JR SIGNS CO-PROMOTIONAL DEAL WITH MATCHROOM
Sat, 23 Nov 2024INTERNATIONAL BOXING HALL OF FAME TO ANNOUNCE CLASS OF 2025 ON THURSDAY, DECEMBER 5th
Sat, 23 Nov 2024Ring Master promotes in Calinan on Dec. 21
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 22 Nov 2024NP Bansalan boxing team in Matalam
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 22 Nov 2024New York, Minnesota Biggest Trade Gainers; Los Angeles Has the Rookie Draft Steal
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Fri, 22 Nov 2024Filipino IM Bagamasbad prevails
By Marlon Bernardino, Fri, 22 Nov 2024DC girl’s futsal in Palawan now
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 22 Nov 2024Filipino FIDE Master Ivan Travis Cu is ready to face challenge
By Marlon Bernardino, Fri, 22 Nov 2024Dante Kirkman Secures First Career Knockout with 3rd Round TKO Victory
Fri, 22 Nov 2024Filipino Middleweight Star Blazen Rocili Set to Return to the Ring This Saturday in San Antonio, TX
Thu, 21 Nov 2024Stallone hands Donald Trump WBC world champion belt
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Thu, 21 Nov 2024Filipino International Master Garma beats Lithuanian Grandmaster
By Marlon Bernardino, Thu, 21 Nov 2024Saturday: Bakary Samake-Wade Ryan & Elwin Soto-Moisés Caro Headline Separate Fight Cards Streaming LIVE on ESPN+
Thu, 21 Nov 2024