Orlando Magic Daily
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Highlights of the 2015-16 Orlando Magic schedule

By Philip Rossman-Reich

Mar 1, 2015; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic guard Victor Oladipo (5) drives to the basket as Charlotte Hornets guard Gerald Henderson (9) defends during the second half at Amway Center. Charlotte Hornets defeated the Orlando Magic 98-83. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 1, 2015; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic guard Victor Oladipo (5) drives to the basket as Charlotte Hornets guard Gerald Henderson (9) defends during the second half at Amway Center. Charlotte Hornets defeated the Orlando Magic 98-83. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 9, 2015; Washington, DC, USA; Orlando Magic guard Evan Fournier (10) dribbles as Washington Wizards forward Paul Pierce (34) defends during the third quarter at Verizon Center. Washington Wizards defeated Orlando Magic 96-80. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 9, 2015; Washington, DC, USA; Orlando Magic guard Evan Fournier (10) dribbles as Washington Wizards forward Paul Pierce (34) defends during the third quarter at Verizon Center. Washington Wizards defeated Orlando Magic 96-80. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports /

Opening Weekend

Oct. 28 vs. Wizards
Oct. 30 vs. Thunder

Opening weekend is always pretty special. This opening weekend though will be pretty big.

Orlando will open its home schedule against Washington for the second straight year. The Wizards will provide a nice test to start the season. They are expected to continue their progress up the Eastern Conference and contend for the Eastern Conference title.

The next night out, Orlando welcomes in a former coach (sort of).

Billy Donovan was the head coach of the Magic for a few days and spent more than a decade transforming the program at Florida. He finally made the official leap into the NBA by becoming the head coach of the Thunder.

Billy Donovan, Florida Gators
Mar 12, 2015; Nashville, TN, USA; Florida Gators coach Billy Donovan walks the sidelines during the second half of the second round against the Alabama Crimson Tide in the SEC Conference Tournament at Bridgestone Arena. Florida won 69-61. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports /

As coach of one of the featured teams in the league, Donovan will have immense pressure to perform early. His Thunder teams need to click early.

The second game for the Thunder will be one they have to feel is pretty winnable with Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook. And Donovan heading home, for all intents and purposes, is going to be a juicy storyline.

The Magic will have their work cut out for them early in the season. Six of their first seven games are against Playoff teams from 2015. That seventh team is the Thunder. It could be a rough start. Especially with five of those games on the road to start the season.

As much as the Thunder have to put things together, the Magic are going to have to get things together quickly under a new coach in Scott Skiles. It could be a rough start for Orlando as the team adjusts to its new coach and new roles. Remember, this is essentially the same 25-win team from last year.

Building some confidence is going to be key and it could take some time to get some “easier” wins. The Magic will have their work cut out for them early on in the season.

Next: Home for the holidays