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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Aaron Gordon, Orlando Magic, Miami Heat
MIAMI, FL – DECEMBER 04: Aaron Gordon #00 of the Orlando Magic shoots over Kelly Olynyk #9 of the Miami Heat during the first half at American Airlines Arena on December 4, 2018 in Miami, 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. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /

The Last Road Trip (March 4-10)

After the Orlando Magic get back from that long West Coast road trip, they will play only four road games in the Western Conference the rest of the season. Three of them will come during this final road trip of the season.

Or the final major road trip of the season.

The trip starts off with perhaps the biggest game in terms of building a national reputation or perception of this team. Well, any game against the Miami Heat feels like a big game. This rivalry has some juice to it.

Orlando’s lone nationally televised game takes place March 4 to open up the road trip in Miami against the Heat.

At this point of the season, the matchup might very well have seeding and division title implications. It is occurring at the same point of the season as last year’s battle against the Heat occurred in Miami. Although it is not likely Miami will retire Chris Bosh‘s jersey at halftime again.

That win over the Heat last year was when the Magic officially climbed into the playoffs for good. The win clinched the season series for the team and helped lift them to the division title. It was a major turning point and a game Magic fans are not going to forget.

This game already seems to have that kind of opportunity. It could very well be that kind of a big showdown.

But the rest of the road trip is no easy trip either.

Orlando will finish its Western Conference opponents with the Minnesota Timberwolves, Houston Rockets and Memphis Grizzlies.

The Rockets are the only title contender in the bunch. The Timberwolves will try to compete for a playoff spot. And the Grizzlies proved to be a difficult late-season out last year — although both Mike Conley and Marc Gasol are off those teams now.

It is hard to predict the level of motivation for a team like the Grizzlies, a young team expected to be growing this year with Jaren Jackson Jr. and Ja Morant as their centerpiece. The Timberwolves too could still be in the playoff hunt or they could be struggling through another lost season.

In either case, whether the Magic themselves are fighting for playoff positioning or fighting to get in, this road trip will loom large as important for that last push to get into the postseason.