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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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Evan Fournier, Orlando Magic, New Orleans Pelicans
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – FEBRUARY 12: Evan Fournier #10 of the Orlando Magic shoots against Tim Frazier #10 of the New Orleans Pelicans during a game at the Smoothie King Center on February 12, 2019 in New Orleans, Louisiana. 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 Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /

First West Coast Trip (Dec. 11-20)

The first really difficult stretch in the Orlando Magic’s schedule will be the first time they really face a string of Western Conference teams.

It starts at home with a difficult pair of games before the team heads out on the road for the first big road trip of the season.

To be sure, the Western Conference is still really good. And probably better than the Eastern Conference from top to bottom.

So when there are a string of Western Conference games, it feels like it is going to be about survival more than anything else. It is a tough measuring stick but one nonetheless. And if the Magic want to compete seriously, they will have to do more than just merely keep their head above water.

This stretch from Dec. 11-20 is especially tough though. Orlando will learn a lot about where it stands and what it can do at this time of the season.

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It starts at home when the Orlando Magic take on the Los Angeles Lakers on Dec. 11. The Lakers are a returning juggernaut now with LeBron James and Anthony Davis joining forces. But Orlando should feel at least OK going up against them.

The Magic faced James twice before his injury on Christmas Day and were able to sweep the Lakers. Of course, a motivated Davis (the Magic played him once last year and it was after his trade request) changes a lot of that team’s dynamic.

The Orlando Magic follow that up with a home game against the Houston Rockets. James Harden is always a tough cover and Russell Westbrook makes them a bit tougher with his line-drive driving ability. These are two of the elite teams in the Western Conference, and they come to the Amway Center in consecutive games.

That would be fine if the Magic did not go out on the road for a West Coast trip in the very next outing.

The Orlando Magic’s first West Coast road trip takes them to play the New Orleans Pelicans, Utah Jazz, Denver Nuggets and Portland Trail Blazers. Three of those four teams are playoff teams and all are extremely tough places to play — including a Rocky Mountain back to back between Salt Lake City and Denver on Dec. 17 and 18 that every team detests.

These are all tough games — even the one against the Pelicans should not get automatically counted a win with some solid veterans surrounding the promise of Zion Williamson.

Orlando will have to do its best to pick up wins where it can. But this will be a true test for the team and perhaps a sign of where this team will finish in the end.