Magic Fans Have Decided To Poke The Bear And Chant "We Want Boston" Ahead Of Their First Round Matchup

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The Orlando Magic have had a bit of a weird season. Entering the year, they were a popular pick as a team that would build off their success from the year prior and play at a 50ish win pace while competing for a top 4 seed. To start, that's exactly how they looked. But before you knew it, Paolo got hurt. Soon after, so did Franz Wagner. Then, Mo Wagner. Then Jalen Suggs etc. 

Eventually, all of those injuries add up, and as a result, it put the Magic into the Play In range. A team that has elite strengths (defense) while also having some glaring weaknesses (offense), they're someone that when healthy is certainly better than their current record shows. We saw that Tuesday night with their complete ass kicking of the Hawks to win the 7/8 Game and punch their ticket for a first round matchup with the defending Champs.

In a moment like this, as a fan you're excited. Even though these aren't really playoff games, it's as close as you're going to get before the real ones start, and everyone in the building certainly treats it as such. The Magic blew this game open early, got a huge lead, blew that huge lead only to then rebuild it down the stretch in the fourth quarter. Cole Anthony went crazy, Wendell Carter Jr was everywhere, Paolo and Franz were able to manipulate the game all while not even shooting all that well. It was a great home win to punch their ticket to the postseason.

As a result, sometimes fans can get a little carried away

Ah Yes. Thank you. I would expect nothing less from a fanbase about to play the Celtics who are in this situation. This is what life is like as the Champs. As far as I'm concerned, this is a badge of honor. The target is on your back. Everyone wants to be the one to take you down. People are often loud about beating the Celtics until it becomes time to actually beat the Celtics. Then, not so much. You see, we already experienced this same approach not too long ago

First, it was Heat fans

Then Cavs fans 

Next round, you guessed it. Pacers fans did the same

And of course, so did Dallas

So you can sort of understand why I find Magic fans chanting for Boston endearing more than anything else. In many ways, I'm thankful.  I'll take all the free bulletin board material I can get heading into a title defense playoff run. I didn't exactly think they needed any additional motivation, but I certainly won't turn it away. It should be a fun series between two big, physical teams that are both playing well at the moment. It wouldn't be my advice to poke the bear ahead of a 7 game series, but everyone is entitled to behave however they want. 

I'll just remind these people that the last time the Magic played Jayson Tatum, the Celts won 121-94, and he had a casual 30/6/4. Good luck!