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Orlando Magic Daily Mailbag Volume 34: The one where the Orlando Magic make the playoffs

By Philip Rossman-Reich

The Orlando Magic and Oklahoma City Thunder are playing very similarly to start the season. (Photo by Zach Beeker/NBAE via Getty Images)
The Orlando Magic and Oklahoma City Thunder are playing very similarly to start the season. (Photo by Zach Beeker/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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D.J. Augustin, Orlando Magic, New York Knicks
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – FEBRUARY 26: D.J. Augustin #14 of the Orlando Magic dribbles the ball against Dennis Smith Jr. #5 of the New York Knicks during the first half of the game at Madison Square Garden on February 26, 2019 in New York City. 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 Sarah Stier/Getty Images) /

The Orlando Magic are in the playoffs and in a fight with the Toronto Raptors. The Magic have reached this benchmark and have lots more to do now and beyond

The Orlando Magic are officially in the playoffs.

The Orlando Magic have just begun their battle against the Toronto Raptors for their shot to get to the second round and advance in the playoffs. The series already has shown itself to be a physical and difficult one. Both the Magic and the Raptors make their mark defensively and have length for miles to make things difficult.

The Magic and Raptors tied their season series at two apiece. But that hardly seems like it will matter at the end of the day. The playoffs are a different animal. The Magic are going to go deep into the jungle at Scotiabank Arena to face the fevered pitch of the #WeTheNorth crowd.

Orlando has known for a long time that its margin for error is extremely small. The team cannot have too many guys slip up or play below their potential to win. Especially on defense. The Magic will have to be tied together tightly on defense to have a chance. And someone is going to have to step up and have an unexpected series.

Orlando will have its work cut out for it. The Raptors know they have another gear and know what they have to do and how to approach the playoffs. Orlando is also making up for this learning curve too.

That was on full display as both Kawhi Leonard and Pascal Siakam broke free from their regular season struggles. But the Magic showed some surprising grit in stealing Game 1. Their late-game execution was superb and Orlando consistently rose to the challenge.

This one will be a fight.

It has been a long time since the Magic were last in the playoffs. Six years between playoff appearances left a frustrated fan base hungry for even an opportunity like this. The rebuild is still ongoing, it seems, and this season is a big step in the right direction for the team.

Orlando might be slightly ahead of schedule and this playoff appearance is certainly a surprise. But this is certainly not the final destination in year two with Jeff Weltman at the helm.

This season is certainly a nice surprise at the least. And it is clear Steve Clifford has helped establish a foundation for the team to continue growing and building for the future.

The Magic are in the playoffs today. They will try to win today. Their future is not the biggest concern. But that question looms in the background.

As Orlando embarks on this playoff journey, I opened up the Orlando Magic Daily Mailbag to answer your questions about the team and what these playoffs will mean.