![\"Joel](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/01kzphzrhntqzysjf09f.jpg\" "\\"Joel")
<\/p>\n
May 10, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) looks on against the New York Knicks in the second quarter during game four of the second round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Xfinity Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Ross-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect<\/p>\n
At Philadelphia\u00a0<\/p>\n
The 76ers have tons of hype after trading for Jaylen Brown and signing LeBron James, to combine with a group that won 45 games. They bring so much to the table that the team should still remain a threat if Joel Embiid\u2019s past injuries flare up again. For now, the 76ers are a top-four East team, and it wouldn\u2019t be a surprise if they start off well and are much mightier by the end of the regular season.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Even if Embiid is who he was last year, that\u2019s still a darn good player because he can hit perimeter jumpers. On top of that, Tyese Maxey and V.J. Edgecombe are built for speed, which makes them a lethal combo with James\u2019 playmaking. Teams with this many threats put lots of stress on a defense, and this should be a solid test for coach Sean Sweeney\u2019s new scheme.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Another thing to pay attention to would be how the player guarded by Brown does offensively. Brown is a former Finals MVP, who can crank up his defense, especially in big matchups.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Who knows if this game will be in prime time, but it will feel that way for Magic fans.\u00a0<\/p>\n
At New York<\/p>\n
The defending champions always get every team’s best shot, and the Magic will be tested, trying to contain such a potent attack. The playoffs highlighted how Karl-Anthony Towns had playmaking skills, and this feature takes pressure off Jalen Brunson to stay fresh late in the game.<\/p>\n
Guarding screen rolls is the hardest thing for a big man to do because they often have to guard two players at once. Wendell Carter Jr. has shown he\u2019s a good defender, but guarding this action including Towns is more difficult than stopping it with Jalen Duren.\u00a0<\/p>\n
On top of that, the Knicks were sharp in transition in the playoffs, scoring 1.25 points per possession, yet picked up the pace ninth-most of 16 teams. It would be nice to see how much the Magic could keep the Knicks playing in the half court.\u00a0<\/p>\n
![\"Victor](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/01kzphyhyb1w2xp03wv2.jpg\" "\\"Victor")
<\/p>\n
Jun 13, 2026; San Antonio, Texas, USA; San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) shoots as New York Knicks forward Og Anunoby (8) and Knicks center Mitchell Robinson (23) defend during game five of the 2026 NBA Finals at Frost Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect<\/p>\n
At home versus the San Antonio\u00a0Spurs<\/p>\n
The San Antonio Spurs were going to make this list by virtue of being the western champs, but they\u2019ll be better next year, too. Keep in mind that the 2025-26 squad won 70.7 percent of its road games (29-12) plus had a 26-4 record against the East.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The Spurs are a box-office attraction because they have a serious squad around Victor Wembanyama, who will eventually ascend to the best player in the world. Lots of rival fans league-wide probably expect them to come into their building and win. The Spurs may have even fixed some of their issues in the non-Wemby minutes by signing Tobias Harris, if experimenting with him in as a backup big works.<\/p>\n
In this matchup, most people are going to pay attention to what Wemby does to Orlando\u2018s offense from the back line, but the main thing on my mind is how the perimeter players respond to Stephon Castle and Dylan Harper\u2019s pressure.\u00a0<\/p>\n
At home versus the Oklahoma City Thunder\u00a0<\/p>\n
The Oklahoma City Thunder have averaged 63 wins over the past three seasons, and they beat the Magic in 2025-26 by 36 and five points. Jalen Williams, who is their second-best player, didn\u2019t even play on those nights.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The Thunder have sustained excellence for a nice stretch, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is a nightmare to guard because he gets to the line so easily. He didn\u2019t go as hard in the first game against Orlando because it was a blowout, but he took 11 free throws in the second win. One of the important tests against this team will be to see how the Magic can defend him without fouling. <\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/assets.minutemediacdn.com\/platform\/google_discover_icon.svg\"){kind=icon}
Add us as a preferred source on Google