Orlando Magic Daily
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Which teams will round out Eastern Conference Playoffs picture?

By Brett David Roberts

Nov 29, 2015; Orlando, FL, USA; Boston Celtics forward Jae Crowder (99) guards Orlando Magic forward Aaron Gordon (00) during the second half of a basketball game at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 29, 2015; Orlando, FL, USA; Boston Celtics forward Jae Crowder (99) guards Orlando Magic forward Aaron Gordon (00) during the second half of a basketball game at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports /
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Scott Skiles, Orlando Magic
Jan 9, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic head coach Scott Skiles yells to a referee during the second half against the Washington Wizards at Amway Center. The Washington Wizards won 105-99. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports /

Orlando Magic

Offensive Rating: No. 17 (101.5)
Defensive Rating: No. 13 (101.5)

The Orlando Magic have been a feel good story in a lot of senses.

After wandering through three seasons with a total of 68 wins, the Magic have come out of the gates as an above-.500 team with a renewed energy and spirit under first year coach Scott Skiles.

But the Magic have a lot of holes and issues with their team, and it is likely more than can be ironed out swiftly to steer this team toward the Playoffs.

The Magic are going to have to improve their shooting on a team-wide basis while rediscovering the defensive talents they had through the first two months of the season. Skiles had instilled the importance of defense and Orlando built a defense ranking in the top-five of opponent’s field goal percentage.

That has slowly slipped.

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The Magic now rank No. 12 in opponent field goal percentage (44.0 percent) and are just at No. 13 defensive rating too. If Orlando amends its defense and regains its early season glory, then this team is likely in the Playoffs.

But it is very much a “What have you done for me lately?” type of league. And the answer to that was a four-game losing streak prior to defeating the Brooklyn Nets, who not coincidentally were the last win before the skid started. A loss to the Washington Wizards leaves more questions than answers for Orlando.

The Magic are knocking off the poorer teams league-wide, but must prove they can beat teams that matter.

Until that happens, we have to remain bullish at best on Orlando’s postseason prospects. Orlando seemingly does just about everything right, except for the small things, and it happens to be ones that matter — knocking down open threes, getting to the free throw line and executing in close games.

Fixing all three of those aspects by season’s end seems to be a heady task. That is why the lingers at No. 17 in offensive rating.

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