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What is the finishing lineup for the Orlando Magic this season?

By Joe Buckley

Nov 11, 2015; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic center Nikola Vucevic (9) reacts after he made the game winning shot in the last seconds of the fourth quarter against the Los Angeles Lakers at Amway Center. Orlando Magic defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 101-99. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 11, 2015; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic center Nikola Vucevic (9) reacts after he made the game winning shot in the last seconds of the fourth quarter against the Los Angeles Lakers at Amway Center. Orlando Magic defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 101-99. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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Clutch intangibles: The coach

The other key member of the whole operation is of course, new Magic coach Frank Vogel. Under Scott Skiles, the team mightily suffered in the waning moments of games, as fans know only too well.

While it is fun to speculate on a finishing lineup, the bottom line is the Magic need to address this problem. The team posted a 95.3 offensive rating last year in clutch situations, defined as a game within five points in the last two minutes. This was the third worst in the league.

How many times fans had to watch through their fingers as the Magic would waste a fourth quarter lead or screw up an overtime does not bare thinking about again.

Vogel has experience in important moments from his time with the Indiana Pacers, though he also had the benefit of coaching a clutch scorer/defender such as Paul George, with a perfectly balanced line up with players such as Roy Hibbert, George Hill and David West.

Vogel’s reputation is as a defensive specialist, which of course is incredibly important late in games. But the lineup needs offense too. This is where the Magic struggled before, and where Vogel has yet to establish himself.

Both coaches and players have an opportunity then. The new lineup, is more streamlined, more directed and hopefully more capable of capping off earned victories.

Next: Aaron Gordon ready to do everything for Orlando Magic

They need to be, if the Magic are to take advantage of the talent they possess and finally break through to the Playoffs.