Eastern Conference Shakeups: Magic Surge, 76ers Snap skid

As the NBA regular season winds down, the intensity is palpable with teams vying for crucial playoff positioning. The Eastern Conference witnessed significant shifts last night, highlighted by the Orlando Magic’s dominant performance and a surprising victory for the Philadelphia 76ers.

The Orlando Magic (40-40) continued their late-season surge, securing their fourth consecutive win with a decisive 96-76 victory over the Eastern conference-leading boston Celtics (59-21). Despite the Celtics already clinching a playoff berth, the Magic’s win underscores their determination to secure a play-in tournament spot. Currently, several teams are battling for those final play-in spots, making every game a must-win scenario.

In a game with less postseason implications, the Philadelphia 76ers (24-56) snapped a 12-game losing streak with a resounding 122-103 road win against the struggling Washington Wizards (17-63). Jeff Dowtin’s career-high 30 points fueled the Sixers’ victory, providing a glimmer of hope in an otherwise disappointing season for Philadelphia. The Wizards,languishing at the bottom of the Eastern Conference,suffered their 63rd loss of the season.

Western conference Battles: Lakers Dominate, Nuggets Surge After Coaching Change

Out West, the Los Angeles Lakers (49-31) delivered a statement victory, defeating the Dallas Mavericks (38-42) 112-97 on the road. Despite a herculean 45-point effort from former Laker Luka doncic, the Mavericks were unable to contain the Lakers’ balanced attack. This win is crucial for the Lakers as they solidify their playoff aspirations, while the Mavericks face increasing pressure to secure a play-in tournament berth. The competition in the Western Conference is fierce, with several teams separated by just a few games in the standings.

the Denver Nuggets (48-32), fresh off a surprising coaching change, continued their push towards the postseason with a 124-116 road victory over the Sacramento Kings (39-41). Zach Lavine’s 27 points and 11 assists weren’t enough to propel the Kings to victory,as the Nuggets showcased their depth and resilience. This win is particularly significant for the Nuggets as they aim to secure a higher seed in the Western Conference playoffs.

In other Western Conference action, the Oklahoma City Thunder continued their dominant run, defeating the Phoenix Suns 125-112. Though, the Golden state Warriors (47-33) suffered a surprising 114-111 home loss to the San Antonio Spurs (33-47), despite strong performances from Stephen Curry and Jimmy Butler. The Los Angeles Clippers (48-32) secured their sixth consecutive victory, defeating the Houston Rockets (52-28) 134-117, with James Harden contributing a decisive 35 points.

Other Notable Games

The Toronto Raptors (30-50) cruised to a 126-96 victory over the Charlotte Hornets (19-61), while the Chicago Bulls (37-43) edged out the Miami Heat (36-44) 119-111 in a crucial play-in matchup. The Utah Jazz (17-63) snapped a nine-game losing streak with a 133-126 overtime win against the Portland Trail Blazers (35-45).

NBA Results from April 9, 2025

• Orlando Magic 96 – Boston Celtics 76
• Washington Wizards 103 – Philadelphia 76ers 122
• Dallas Mavericks 97 – Los Angeles Lakers 112
• Toronto Raptors 126 – Charlotte hornets 96
• Chicago bulls 119 – miami Heat 111
• Utah Jazz 133 – Portland Trail blazers 126 (OT)
• Golden State Warriors 111 – San Antonio Spurs 114
• Phoenix suns 112 – Oklahoma city Thunder 125
• Sacramento Kings 116 – Denver Nuggets 124
• Los Angeles Clippers 134 – Houston Rockets 117