Orlando Magic Daily
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The 5 most important stretches of the Orlando Magic’s 2020 season

By Philip Rossman-Reich

Terrence Ross had his most consistent season in 2019. (Photo by Harry Aaron/Getty Images)
Terrence Ross had his most consistent season in 2019. (Photo by Harry Aaron/Getty Images) /
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D.J. Augustin, Orlando Magic, Atlanta Hawks
ATLANTA, GA – FEBRUARY 10: D.J. Augustin #14 of the Orlando Magic shoots mid range jumper against the Atlanta Hawks on February 10, 2019 at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. 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 Scott Cunningham/NBAE via Getty Images) /

The Start (Oct. 23-Nov. 17)

There is no getting around how important the start of the season will be for the Orlando Magic.

The first month of the season sees the team play nine of its first 13 games at the Amway Center. And seemingly most of them are fairly manageable — with at least games against teams the Magic should feel equal to.

Orlando has the benefit too of bringing back the entirely same roster. Orlando only lost Jarell Martin and Jerian Grant off last year’s roster, replacing them with Al-Farouq Aminu and either Chuma Okeke or someone off the training camp roster like DaQuan Jeffries.

It is hard not to argue that this is not an immediate upgrade for the Magic from a talent perspective.

No season is ever alike. Bringing back the same roster is no guarantee to repeat previous successes.

And so while the Magic theoretically have a leg up on the competition, they will still have to evolve and come together. It is probably hard to expect the team to play with the same frenetic energy and desperation they played with during the closing months of the 2019 season for the course of an 82-game schedule.

That is why the start could be absolutely vital. If the team wants to avoid having to scramble to make the playoffs next year, getting out in front of the pack would be vital.

Orlando Magic
Orlando Magic /

Orlando Magic

Things set up nicely for them to do so.

The Orlando Magic open the season against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Oct. 23 before a quick two-game trip to Atlanta to face the Atlanta Hawks and Toronto against the defending champion Toronto Raptors.

The Orlando Magic then play the New York Knicks, Milwaukee Bucks and Denver Nuggets at home. The Bucks and Nuggets back to back is especially tough and represents the toughest part of this stretch.

The Orlando Magic then hit the road to face the Oklahoma City Thunder and Dallas Mavericks before finishing this stretch with the team’s longest homestand from Nov. 8-17 against the Memphis Grizzlies, Indiana Pacers, Philadelphia 76ers, San Antonio Spurs and Washington Wizards.

This stretch is a bit longer than you typically want to highlight. It is a mouthful to get through these first 13 games.

But out of that group, only that Bucks and Nuggets home-home back to back on Nov. 1 and 2 and the game against the 76ers on Nov. 13 feature teams that are definitely better than Orlando. Every other team and every other game feels fairly manageable.

Orlando, of course, should be in the frame of mind that they can beat anyone and beat any team. But going 13-0 is asking a lot.

But getting out to a strong start — especially taking advantage of that five-game homestand before the schedule starts to balance out —  is vital to the team’s success.

Orlando can pick off some teams that need time to gel early in the season. The Magic have to view protecting their home court as vital to their playoff chances. And so a strong start seems even more important.