Because the Orlando Magic had played one fewer game than the Oklahoma City Thunder entering Thursday, their matchup against the Atlanta Hawks was of the utmost important for OKC.
A Magic win would push them a full game behind the Thunder in the race for the third-best odds in the NBA draft lottery. A loss would make it a tie.
It didn’t take long to be able to tell what was going to happen. Orlando scored just 16 points in the first quarter and fell to the Hawks 116-93.
With the loss, both the Magic and the Thunder have a 21-49 record heading into the final two games of the season for both teams.
They are now tied for the third-best odds, one game below the Detroit Pistons for the second-best and one game above the Cleveland Cavaliers and Minnesota Timberwolves, who are tied at fifth-best.
It is particularly important to remain in the third spot because of the flattened odds. The three teams with the worst records have the same chance of landing the No. 1, 2, 3 or 4 pick.
The Thunder, Magic, Pistons and Cavaliers all play Friday and Sunday while the Timberwolves play Saturday and Sunday.
Oklahoma City plays the Utah Jazz then the Los Angeles Clippers.
Orlando plays the Philadelphia 76ers twice.
Detroit will see the Denver Nuggets and Miami Heat, while the Cavaliers will face off against the Washington Wizards and Brooklyn Nets.
The Timberwolves wrap up against the Boston Celtics and Dallas Mavericks.
