10 observations from the Orlando Magic’s first 10 games

5. Competitive with anybody

The Orlando Magic are 3-7 and struggling toward the bottom of the Eastern Conference.

No worries, it is still early and nobody is separating themselves that much. Teams are still figuring themselves out. There is time to make a charge and establish themselves in the standings — although Orlando is starting well behind.

The one encouraging thing throughout this stretch is how the Magic have competed.

Orlando has struggled and has been pretty bad offensively — like league-worst offensively.

But the team’s defense is enough to keep them competitive in games. Orlando has had the lead in the fourth quarter of eight of its 10 games. The Orlando Magic have only one blowout loss — to the championship-contending Milwaukee Bucks — and the other game was a tight affair with the Indiana Pacers.

Orlando is not winning these games. That is ultimately what matters for the team. But as the Magic get things right this competitiveness — even when they are not anywhere near their best — will be a valuable thing.

The Magic can compete and beat any team. They just have to have the shotmaking and execution to do it.

This Orlando team has given into frustration a few times this season. That has cost them a bit in these late-game situations. Ultimately, the Magic need the offense to be reliable. And as it has struggled, they have started to force things to get it going. That is not how this team is going to work.

But through it all, Orlando has given itself the chance. That counts for something early in the season. It is at least a sign the team can pull through and be the team everyone imagines it can be.

That might be far off. Orlando is not winning these games. But the team has the chance. That is a start.