Orlando Magic Team Report - April 11

(Basketball News) - The Orlando Magic will attempt to avoid sliding closer to playoff extinction this evening, when they host the Cleveland Cavaliers at TD Waterhouse Centre.

Orlando has lost three straight and four of its last five games, including a 114-102 defeat to the Detroit Pistons at TD Waterhouse Centre on Friday.

DeShawn Stevenson scored 25 points to lead the Magic, who have lost 14 of their last 18 to fall a precarious four games out of playoff contention with six contests to play. The Magic are two losses away from being eliminated from the postseason race.

Steve Francis registered 23 points and nine assists, while Dwight Howard added 21 points and 13 rebounds in the game. Jameer Nelson chipped in 10 points off the bench in the defeat.

Orlando shot 49.4 percent from the field, including 6-of-14 (.429) from three- point range. The Magic drained 12-of-15 (.800) from the free throw line, while being outrebounded 46-37.

Orlando forward Grant Hill was placed on the injured list with a bruised left shin and is expected to miss the remainder of the season. Guard Mark Jones replaced Hill on Orlando’s roster.

Orlando, which is closing out a three-game homestand this evening, is 23-15 in its friendly confines this season. The Magic has lost seven of nine and nine of its last 13 home games.

Cleveland has won the last two meetings between these teams. Orlando has won seven of 11 and nine of the last 14 meetings overall. Cleveland has lost eight of its last nine at Orlando.

Following tonight’s game, Orlando will embark on a three-game road trip which will include trips to Detroit (Wednesday), Chicago (Friday) and Milwaukee (Saturday).