Orlando Magic Daily
Fansided

Magic Gaming finding its footing for Playoff push

By Philip Rossman-Reich

LONG ISLAND CITY, NY - JULY 21: King Cam Royalty of Magic Gaming reacts during the game against Pacers Gaming on July 21, 2018 at the NBA 2K Studio in Long Island City, New York. 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 2018 NBAE (Photo by Michelle Farsi/NBAE via Getty Images)
LONG ISLAND CITY, NY - JULY 21: King Cam Royalty of Magic Gaming reacts during the game against Pacers Gaming on July 21, 2018 at the NBA 2K Studio in Long Island City, New York. 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 2018 NBAE (Photo by Michelle Farsi/NBAE via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

Magic Gaming got out to a slow start, but have come on strong in recent weeks. They are in Playoff position, but they have their work cut out for them.

Last weekend in New York, a lot was on the line in the NBA 2K League.

The final mid-season tournament, dubbed “The Ticket,” offered an automatic playoff berth to the winner.  It was a chance for security heading into the home stretch of the season.

Magic Gaming had a rough start to the year. It took the team a while to figure itself out and find the right combination of talent. A lineup change and the emergence of King Cam Royalty helped Magic Gaming make a push.

Turning that momentum into an automatic ticket to the postseason would be a huge benefit to this growing team.

Things did not turn out well. Cavs Legion upended Magic Gaming 68-60 in the opening round game with Hood scoring 48 points for the Cavs. The Magic were headed home. But still plenty confident.

Their return to New York for this week’s game might mark the beginning of their Playoff push.

Magic Gaming scored the first 10 points in their Saturday game against Pacers Gaming. But it proved to be a fight the rest of the way.

The Pacers came back to take the lead. But behind King Cam Royalty’s 20 points and seven rebounds, the Magic were able to hold off the Pacers 69-66 after a scramble in the final moments.

https://twitter.com/NBA2KLeague/status/1020716328343175168

It was a huge win for Magic Gaming, improving their record to 6-4 on the season. That is good for sixth place and avoids the logjam of .500 teams fighting for the final Playoff spot. Only the top eight teams will make the Playoffs.

Their team approach may be unique among several 2K League teams, but this group has found their groove.

Magic Gaming’s struggles at the start of the season seem well behind them. It really changed with the introduction of King Cam Royalty to the lineup in the team’s first win over Knicks Gaming.

Since then, he has proven to be a key fixture in the post for Magic Gaming, averaging 14.8 points and 7.8 rebounds per game. The team’s final pick in the 2K League Draft has paid some huge dividends.

He is, of course, not alone.

UCManny has proven a good battery mate in the post as Magic Gaming has used a bigger lineup to try to stifle opponents. He had 17 points and eight rebounds in Saturday’s win over the Pacers and is averaging 13.4 points per game.

The team still goes as first-round pick Kontrul goes. He did not shoot well Saturday in scoring 14 points. But when he keeps his turnovers down, he is a good playmaker and passer. Especially with the bigs the Magic have to gobble up rebounds and lock the paint down defensively.

Magic Gaming has become one of the nicer stories in the league after their slow start — and less than stellar preseason expectations.

They will still have their work cut out for them to make the Playoffs. They are in pole position but a tough schedule lies ahead with precious spots remaining in the Playoffs.

Next Friday at 7 p.m., Magic Gaming will take on Mavs Gaming and top overall pick DatBoyDimez. Dimez is averaging 22.4 points per game, fourth-most in the league. And the Mavs are also fighting for their Playoff positioning, just outside the picture at the moment at 5-6.

With so many teams bunched up, though, the standings could change on a weekly basis. Magic Gaming will still have to pick up wins. Nothing is assured.

Complicating matters further is the 16th-place Knicks Gaming won that free ticket to the Playoffs in last week’s tournament. So only the top seven teams in the standings will make the Playoffs. Magic Gaming sitting in sixth place has very little breathing room between where they are and the cut line.

The schedule does them no favors after that Mavs Gaming matchup next week.

The Magic close the regular season August 4 against Pistons GT (7-3, second place) and August 11 with a rematch with the Cavs Legion (7-4, third place) team that beat them in The Ticket.

Those final two opponents should put a premium on getting a win Friday against the Mavs. It will be a tough finish for Magic Gaming. But they have put themselves in position to control their own destiny to make the Playoffs.

Next: OMD Mailbag: Looking ahead to 2019

Their work will be cut out for them. But the opportunity is there for Magic Gaming to finish this Playoff push.