Highlights of the 2015-16 Orlando Magic schedule

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Mar 25, 2015; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic center Nikola Vucevic (9) drives to the basket as Atlanta Hawks forward Paul Millsap (4)defends during the second half at Amway Center. Atlanta Hawks defeated the Orlando Magic 95-83. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

Speaking of holidays

Jan. 1 @ Wizards
Jan. 18 @ Hawks
Feb. 7 vs. Hawks

Usually a good sign of a team’s importance is the NBA forces them to play on holidays.

Sorry, guys, that is the cost of being good.

The Magic are not showing up on national television on any of these days. There are no Christmas games for Orlando. But the team will play on New Years’ Day and spend MLK Day in Atlanta following the trip to London.

That shows some signs of respect that the NBA wanted to put the Magic on a day when just about everyone who cares to attend or watch can attend or watch, right?

The Magic largely got the holidays off the last three years. Seeing them return to play on some holiday seems like something of a step forward.

The game on Jan. 18 against the Hawks should be particularly special.

It will be the Magic’s first game after the trip to London on Jan. 14 to play the Raptors. The four days off before and after should leave the Magic relatively well rested, hopefully with no jet lag effects.

But Atlanta is also one of the cities with a special connection to Martin Luther King. The Hawks, in addition to the Grizzlies who will be on national TV that evening, put on a great program as a tribute to Dr. King. Getting to play in Atlanta on that day can be very special.

The Magic will get to see the Hawks again on another holiday (sort of). The Magic and Hawks will play a 1 p.m. game at Amway Center on Super Bowl Sunday in February.

Next: So those Celtics