Orlando Magic Daily
Fansided

5 stretches that will define the Orlando Magic’s season

By Philip Rossman-Reich

LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 10: Khem Birch #24 and Wesley Iwundu #25 of the Orlando Magic box out Boban Marjanovic #51 of the Los Angeles Clippers during the first half of the NBA game between the Orlando Magic and the Los Angeles Clippers at Staples Center on March 10, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. 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. (Photo by Victor Decolongon/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 10: Khem Birch #24 and Wesley Iwundu #25 of the Orlando Magic box out Boban Marjanovic #51 of the Los Angeles Clippers during the first half of the NBA game between the Orlando Magic and the Los Angeles Clippers at Staples Center on March 10, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. 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. (Photo by Victor Decolongon/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
6 of 6
Next
Nikola Vucevic, Orlando magic, Andre Drummond, Detroit Pistons
Nikola Vucevic, Orlando magic, Andre Drummond, Detroit Pistons /

On the road to close

The Orlando Magic’s closing kick to the season also does not look easy. It is very road-heavy and will challenge the team in a lot of different ways.

Orlando finishes the season with six of its final eight games on the road. Half of those games come against Playoff teams from last year. The two home games are against the New York Knicks (April 3) and Atlanta Hawks (April 5) before closing the year out at the Boston Celtics (April 7) and Charlotte Hornets (April 10).

If Orlando is in the Playoff hunt, it will be challenging to be on the road for so long. The team will have to find ways to get wins to stay in the Playoff race.

If Orlando is not in the Playoff race and is in line for one of those top Lottery spots. . . well, maybe this schedule benefits the team by being so tough.

The road home is not easy at all. Games against the Indiana Pacers (March 30), Toronto Raptors (April 1) and Boston Celtics (April 7) await in that last stretch. That is not an easy run to close with if a team is trying to win. And to do that all on the road makes it all the more difficult.

The Magic are not likely to count on any stretch as ones where they can pick up a lot of wins. That is just not the nature of this team quite yet. They can point to the tough spots. And this one is definitely a tough one.

If Orlando is playing well and in position to make the Playoffs, this will be a stretch the team will find difficult. There is no doubt about it.

And the Magic can clearly see a difficult road to the end year. Whether those games will matter to the standings is the big mystery. And so this ending kick could help the Magic’s season end in heartbreak or triumph.

Next. Orlando Magic release 2019 schedule. dark

Or perhaps it is the kind of ending a young team needs to get some experience. . . and get closer to another Lottery selection.