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2019 Orlando Magic: Five questions for the third quarter of the season

By Philip Rossman-Reich

ORLANDO, FL - NOVEMBER 18: Aaron Gordon #00 of the Orlando Magic shoots the ball against the New York Knicks on November 18, 2018 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 2018 NBAE (Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FL - NOVEMBER 18: Aaron Gordon #00 of the Orlando Magic shoots the ball against the New York Knicks on November 18, 2018 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 2018 NBAE (Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Nikola Vucevic, Orlando Magic, Boston Celtics
BOSTON, MA – OCTOBER 22: Nikola Vucevic #9 of the Orlando Magic dribbles while guarded by Al Horford #42 of the Boston Celtics in the first quarter of a game at TD Garden on October 22, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. 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 Adam Glanzman/Getty Images) /

Can the Orlando Magic make the fourth quarter meaningful?

There has not been a lot of meaning to games in the second half of the season for the Orlando Magic.

Last year, for instance, the team was 9.5 games out of the final Playoff spot at the midpoint of the season. Only in 2016 has the team played meaningful games. And the Magic were fading at that point.

They are fading at this point too. But the Eastern Conference is forgiving and the team still has a chance if it can right the ship — or even hold it steady.

The Magic should not take this opportunity for granted.

Yes, there are some long-term questions the franchise will answer closer to the trade deadline. And likely the Magic’s run of play in the next few weeks will determine whether the team tries to shore this team up or begin to tear it down in earnest.

Ultimately, there are games to play. And so the biggest question facing the Magic is whether they can stay in this race and make the rest of the season meaningful.

The season marches on and there are still games to play. And so long as there are games to play, the object of those games should be to win — no matter what combinations the team throws out there. If Orlando wants to change its culture, that has to be first and foremost.

So at the midpoint of the season, the Magic are on the edge. They can see their season taking a downward turn. And so very quickly, Orlando will have to pick up some wins or tread water to get back on solid footing for a push.

Orlando Magic
Orlando Magic /

Orlando Magic

The Magic have a lot still to play for. The season is far from over and there is still plenty of chances for the team to make an upward turn if they can bank up some wins. And that still has meaning.

The biggest question facing this team is the big question that has always faced this team — is it ready to turn the corner or is this more of the same?

The Magic will answer that question plainly in the next 20 games. The outcome for the entire season will get determined in the third quarter of the season.

The stakes are pretty high.

The plain fact is the Magic are too good to tank. They would need to be historically bad in the second half of the season to get in the running for even the third spot — which nets top odds this year with the two other worst teams in the league. Currently, seven games separate the bottom three from the Magic. And those teams are not getting any better (maybe Kevin Love plays this year, maybe he does not).

When it comes to the draft, Orlando might get the best of both worlds.

They can push for the Playoffs and get their players in meaningful games, but if they fall short they would still land a top-10 pick. That is how forgiving the Eastern Conference is.

And with more leveled odds, the Magic would still have a fair shot at winning the Lottery — the seventh pick has a 31.9 percent chance of getting in the top four and a 3.1 percent chance at winning the whole thing.

There is plenty to play for if you are the Magic. And the Lottery will still be there even if they fall short.

Next. At season's midpoint, Orlando Magic fighting their demons. dark

How Orlando reacts to playing meaningful games should be a big part of the story of the next 20 games. In fact, it is the story as the team tries to figure out its path forward beyond the 2019 season.