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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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Jonathan Isaac, Orlando Magic
ORLANDO, FL – FEBRUARY 14: Jonathan Isaac #1 of the Orlando Magic rebounds the ball against the Charlotte Hornets on February 14, 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) /

The Final Homestand (March 25-April 1)

Last year, the Orlando Magic had their longest homestand of the season late in the season. A five-game stretch that everyone could sense even before the season could be vital to the team’s playoff hopes.

The Orlando Magic ended up sweeping all five of those games — including a blowout win over the Philadelphia 76ers and a come-from-behind win over the Memphis Grizzlies. The streak put the Magic squarely in control of their playoff destiny and they made good on it with a win at Miami as they went on the road.

This was the catalyst to the team making the playoffs. A critical juncture in the season.

Orlando will get another late-season homestand with the chance to build momentum to the final part of the season. It comes later than last year’s homestand came. But will still be just as vital.

The Orlando Magic will play the Indiana Pacers, Brooklyn Nets, New Orleans Pelicans and Charlotte Hornets in this stretch. They all feel like winnable games for this Magic team if they are going to hit their potential.

This is the kind of homestand that could help push the team over the top. Especially considering how the Magic finish the season — five of the final seven on the road including two games against the Boston Celtics.

Orlando has made it a goal to protect the Amway Center. That was a big part of the Magic’s push to the playoffs last year. Orlando wants to be better at home this year.

Winning at home will be vital to the team’s playoff push once again. And this last homestand could prove just as critical to the playoff push as last year’s push was.

It could very well provide the last bit of momentum the team needs to improve their seeding. Or, maybe at a worst-case scenario, struggling here could foretell a fall that the team cannot afford.

Orlando has a schedule that seemingly does well to position them for a playoff run. And perhaps the chance to do something a bit more.

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But it is always hard to predict what will be important and where things will end up in August. These five stretches though figure to define the season no matter how else the season shapes out.