Orlando Magic Daily
Fansided

8 Stretches in the 2017-18 Schedule that can make or break the Orlando Magic’s season

By Jonathan Treadway

ORLANDO, FL - MARCH 29: Evan Fournier #10 of the Orlando Magic shoots a lay up against the Oklahoma City Thunder on March 29, 2017 at Amway Center in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images)ORLANDO, FL - MARCH 29: Evan Fournier
ORLANDO, FL - MARCH 29: Evan Fournier #10 of the Orlando Magic shoots a lay up against the Oklahoma City Thunder on March 29, 2017 at Amway Center in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images)ORLANDO, FL - MARCH 29: Evan Fournier /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 9
Next
Mario Hezonja, Orlando Magic, Washington Wizards
WASHINGTON, DC –  MARCH 5: Mario Hezonja #8 of the Orlando Magic shoots the ball against the Washington Wizards on March 5, 2017 at Verizon Center in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Ned Dishman/NBAE via Getty Images) /

8. Road-Heavy January (Jan. 9-21)

January has not really been the Magic’s month, especially the last few years. Orlando will have to kick that trend to accomplish their Playoff goals this year.

It will not be easy, though.

The NBA schedulers did not give the Magic any help in that regard though. Eight of the Magic’s 13 games in January will be on the road. This particular stretch in January matches that.

This stretch between January 9-21 has five out of the six games on the road, with four out of those six teams making the playoffs last year.

It starts out with a three game road trip to the Dallas Mavericks, Milwaukee Bucks and Washington Wizards before one game back home against the Minnesota Timberwolves and finishing up with a two game road trip against the Cleveland Cavaliers and Boston Celtics.

This will be an important stretch for the Magic to prove to themselves they can win road games against the better teams in the East. If the Magic want to make the playoffs this year, and that seems to be the goal again, then they will have to earn some big road victories during this stretch.

January has always been and will continue to be a test for the Magic this year, this could be a stretch where if it does not go the Magic’s way, their playoff chances could start slipping through their fingers. At the same time, as long as they do not go winless through this stretch, they could still come out fairly OK.