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Orlando Magic Week 6 Takeaways: Mental growth and fortitude

By Philip Rossman-Reich

Dec 1, 2015; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Orlando Magic center Nikola Vucevic (9) celebrates with forward Tobias Harris (12) after their game against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Target Center. The Magic won 96-93. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 1, 2015; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Orlando Magic center Nikola Vucevic (9) celebrates with forward Tobias Harris (12) after their game against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Target Center. The Magic won 96-93. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports /
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Evan Fournier, Orlando Magic, Monta Ellis, Dallas Mavericks
Jan 31, 2015; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic guard Evan Fournier (10) dribbles around Dallas Mavericks guard Monta Ellis (11) during the first quarter of an NBA basketball game at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports /

By Philip Rossman-Reich

There are still a few holes on the Orlando Magic.

The defensive numbers are great and the team has shown dramatic improvement and cohesion. They could not win five straight games without it. The team has done a lot of very good things. Those should continue.

There were also the holes. Losing a 17-point lead to the Timberwolves was not a sign of progress. Losing another double-digit lead in the fourth quarter against the Clippers was not a sign of progress. They were a sign of regression.

Winning is not going to be easy for the rest of the year. There are still going to be lots of hiccups on the road to getting to .500. And the Magic are experiencing that on the West Coast trip.

The good news is the team is learning these lessons by winning. That is usually the best sign of a team that is readying to turn the corner. The bad news is these lessons still need to be taught.

Saturday’s loss was something of a good thing then. We will find out if the Magic can get back to consistency and can get back to winning Tuesday and Wednesday to close out the road trip.

Even though those two opponents are not as strong as some of the others the Magic have faced and beaten recently, they will be just as telling as to where this team is. Winning those games shows they have truly learned these lessons and are growing into a winning team.

Next: Power Rankings Roundup