The Cleveland Cavaliers did not give their best efforts on the final day of the season and this landed them the four seed in the Eastern Conference.

Is this against any rules? No but it should give extra motivation to the upstart Orlando Magic.

This season, Orlando kept itself in the hunt all season and now sits at No. 5 in the East, setting up a very interesting matchup with Cleveland.

Major Storylines

The Cavaliers held a led heading into the fourth quarter of the final game of the season. J.B. Bickerstaff decided to play his reserves and they were outscored 32-14 in the final quarter. Might have been scoreboard watching as Cleveland seemed to be setting up this series with Orlando. This puts enormous pressure on the Cavs and could light a fire under Orlando.

The Magic enter with similar size to Cleveland. We know about the duo down low of Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley in Cleveland. The Magic counter with Paolo Banchero and Jonathan Issac, who have an impressive offensive game.

Mobley missed time this season with a sprained ankle but is an All-Defensive caliber player. It would not be surprising to see some low scores in this series. On the perimeter, the Magic possess a young group while the Cavs bring some star power.

Donovan Mitchell (27.3ppg) and Darius Garland (26.7ppg) both missed time this season as well but are healthy and as good as any duo in the backcourt. This will be the matchup to watch as Mitchell and Garland prepare to take on the talented defensive group for the Magic.

Cole Anthony and Jalen Suggs might not score as much but along with Franz Wagner and Gary Harris make up a deep group defensively. The Magic will have no shortage of bodies that they will be able to throw at Cleveland.

The Cavaliers were unimpressive last year against the New York Knicks. Against another tough defense in Orlando, the Cavs might struggle again.

Series Schedule

• Game 1: Magic vs. Cavaliers; Saturday, April 20 (1 ET, ESPN)
• Game 2: Magic vs. Cavaliers; Monday, April 22 (7 ET, NBA TV)
• Game 3: Cavaliers vs. Magic; Thursday, April 25 (7 ET, NBA TV)
• Game 4: Cavaliers vs. Magic; Saturday, April 27 (1 ET, TNT)
• Game 5 (if necessary): Magic vs. Cavaliers; Tuesday, April 30 (TBD, TBD)
• Game 6 (if necessary): Cavaliers vs. Magic; Friday, May 3 (TBD, TBD)
• Game 7 (if necessary): Magic vs. Cavaliers; Sunday, May 5 (TBD, TBD)

Series Prediction: Magic in 6