10. Oct. 27 vs. San Antonio Spurs
Grades . . . Orlando Magic’s dominant win over strong opponents means something
Everyone was still getting a feel for the Orlando Magic as the season began. No one was sure whether to believe the results the team was putting in or think it a mirage.
Yet, through the first five games and with a 4-1 record, the team had to serve notice. They had wins over the Cleveland Cavaliers and the San Antonio Spurs. No game was likely as impressive as the complete dismantling of the Spurs at the Amway Center.
This is when everyone started to think, perhaps the Magic really do have something here.
Evan Fournier scored 25 points and Jonathon Simmons added 17 points. Both were playing out of their minds to start the season. As was the whole team, especially with their shooting.
The Magic shot 57.1 percent from the floor and 11 for 23 from beyond the arc. There were not a ton of impressive scoring performances, it was just supreme balance and killer defense.
The Spurs are notorious for kind of pacing themselves through the season. They were still figuring some things out with Kawhi Leonard out (and for most of the season). This was the kind of game they occasionally lose at this point in the season. They do not sweat the small stuff.
But beating the Spurs was still a monumental moment for a franchise like the Magic. And this was the second straight year they did it. For a second straight year, it was pretty handily too.
It was just an enjoyable win that signaled the Magic could be something.