Orlando Magic Daily
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5 Questions for the Orlando Magic’s Fourth Quarter

By Philip Rossman-Reich

ORLANDO, FL - DECEMBER 23: D.J. Augustin #14 of the Orlando Magic and the Orlando Magic bench celebrate during the game against the Miami Heat on December 23, 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 - DECEMBER 23: D.J. Augustin #14 of the Orlando Magic and the Orlando Magic bench celebrate during the game against the Miami Heat on December 23, 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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Terrence Ross, Evan Fournier, Orlando Magic
ORLANDO, FL – FEBRUARY 7: Terrence Ross #31 of the Orlando Magic and Evan Fournier #10 of the Orlando Magic celebrate during the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves February 7, 2019 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 2019 NBAE (Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Can Orlando Magic bring consistent effort?

The Orlando Magic’s run so far after the All-Star Break has been . . . puzzling. The team has three incredibly confidence-boosting wins that had fans excited about the team’s Playoff chances. This was a team that could beat anybody it felt like.

Then it also has three incredibly puzzling and frustrating losses. In the same span Orlando has defeated the Toronto Raptors on the road (without Kawhi Leonard), the Golden State Warriors (without Kevin Durant) and the Indiana Pacers (without Domantas Sabonis and Victor Oladipo), they lost to the three worst teams in the Eastern Conference.

Making matters worse, is those games hardly seem like aberrations at the moment. The team had the same struggles in the three games — uncharacteristically poor shooting and even more uncharacteristic lack of focus defensively.

The Magic had a chance to win all three games and there were moments in all three where it seemed they could put their foot down and win. But it never happened.

This is a new thing for the Magic. They have never played like the favorite or had teams preparing for them with all the seriousness of a Playoff chase. Teams want to use the Magic as their bell weather wins.

Orlando has found a new baseline and can compete with these teams even on the team’s bad days. But that baseline is still not good enough to walk into a game and win. It will still take plenty of effort and focus to get there.

And so far, the Magic have failed to show that consistency to their approach. This is an entirely internal thing that this team can fix. They have to bring the same approach and execute under increasing pressure if they want to achieve their goal and make the Playoffs.

That means fighting through fatigue and whatever else falls in their way. That does not seem a likely excuse. Right now, it just seems like focus pure and simple.

The Magic have 17 games left. Each game will require the same energy and focus to win or even have a chance to win. Orlando cannot let up at this point or count any game as a victory.

Their effort has been fine throughout these games. It is focused and directed effort that matters more. The Magic have to have that on a consistent basis.