Orlando Magic Daily
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Orlando Magic heading West as tough road begins

By Joe Buckley

MEMPHIS, TN - NOVEMBER 1: Evan Fournier #10 of the Orlando Magic goes to the basket against the Memphis Grizzlies on November 1, 2017 at FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee. 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 Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images)
MEMPHIS, TN - NOVEMBER 1: Evan Fournier #10 of the Orlando Magic goes to the basket against the Memphis Grizzlies on November 1, 2017 at FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee. 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 Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Nov. 10: @ Phoenix Suns

In terms of optics, the Phoenix Suns have had the worst opening to a season in recent memory.

They set a record on opening night (and not the good kind), then canned their coach on the same day their star player tweeted his desire to no longer be on the team. They then compounded that with their general manager going on the radio and disparaging said star, who was finally shipped to the Milwaukee Bucks for Greg Monroe and a couple of picks.

For all that, at least they have improved on the court. Sort of.

After their horrific first few games, the Phoenix Suns rattled off wins in four of the next five, including impressive victories over the Utah Jazz and Washington Wizards. Having said that, they have also lost their last four games.

Such was the state of the Magic that last year it honestly would have been a tossup between the two bottom dwellers. This year, the Magic clearly hold all the cards. They defend better, they score better and they play better.

Yet, this is what is known in the business as a ‘trap game’.

The Magic players are riding a high (rightfully so). They see the ailing Suns and smile and perhaps relax a bit. That is something no team can afford to do.

Phoenix players are desperate for a win after the recent trade shoves them in a brand new direction.

Its the type of game Orlando could easily trip up on, where the team’s youth could show out and it believes a win is due to them without putting in the work. The Magic have already suffered that kind of loss this year.

It could be a lesson in what it takes to be a great team: consistency.

Orlando certainly has the capability to beat Phoenix, but does the team have the discipline?