Marc Stein, ESPN.com
It is indeed a critical time in the Orlando Magic’s season right now. There is no getting around it. January proved to be the turning point for the Magic last year and it will again this year. As it is really every year as teams begin to assert themselves and hit a second gear as the calendar turns.
The Magic have to find that second gear fast. And they will have to do it on the road.
The first half of the road schedule has been friendly to Orlando as the team has gone 9-9. But that record is quickly getting put to the test.