Door is open for Orlando Magic to pass the Brooklyn Nets for seventh

The Orlando Magic and Brooklyn Nets are in a tight battle for seventh in the Eastern Conference. Kyrie Irvin’s injury and a favorable schedule for the Magic should put Orlando over the top.

The Orlando Magic have wanted this for a long time. Through an interminable rebuild, feeling the pressure of a playoff chase and playing meaningful games has been a little thing the team has learned to treasure in the last two years.

The Magic chased down the 7-seed in the Eastern Conference last year, finishing on a 22-9 kick to get to 42-40. Every game down the stretch had an intensity and pressure to it that was unmatched. Every game felt important and one little thing going right or wrong could have…