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5 questions for the Orlando Magic’s third quarter of the season

By Philip Rossman-Reich

Aaron Gordon and the Orlando Magic have had their struggles this year but still find themselves in a playoff spot. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) 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.
Aaron Gordon and the Orlando Magic have had their struggles this year but still find themselves in a playoff spot. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) 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. /
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The Orlando Magic hope they are poised to make another run late in the season again. (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Will the Magic make another run?

Coach Steve Clifford’s mantra throughout the season is that the team will be better as the season progresses. He usually takes a long-term view of the season and sees it as a progression. The idea is for the team to be peaking at the end of the season.

It was around this time last year that this mantra and this faith was tested most. The Magic were at their lowest point of the season heading toward a 20-32 record. It seemed like a lot of hope was lost.

But Clifford kept the faith. He made some tweaks — both by necessity because of injury and by tactical decision — and the team made a huge turnaround.

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Orlando went 22-9 to finish the season, making the playoffs in the penultimate game. It was a breathtaking run that made fans believe in this team and this franchise again.

Everything is different this year. The Magic have played with a lot of poise this year and they have put themselves in a different position. Orlando has a fairly comfortable lead for a playoff spot. The team is in a battle for seventh.

The Magic will not have to make another crazed run to make the playoffs.

But that overarching goal remains. Even if the team cannot catch the 6-seed, the goal is to be better as the season ends than they were at the beginning. This is still a young group looking to make their way in the NBA.

The Magic’s schedule lightens up considerably too. Once the calendar turns to February, the Magic will play only four of 12 opponents with a winning record. Like last year, Orlando’s schedule looks easier on paper. The team just has to take advantage. Like it did last year.

The Magic were always going to have a rough time through January with how packed the schedule was the difficulty of their opponents from the West Coast road trip to the current homestand.

Orlando was always going to rely on a fast start and then a hot finish to make its playoff mark. The Magic did not get that fast start for various reasons.

But the team can still have a strong finish to the year. Will it be enough to rise in the standings or solidify the 7-seed? Or will it just be some good development for a young team still solidifying itself as a perennial playoff contender?

The important thing is for the Magic to have that strong finish. Whether it changes their standing or not, Orlando needs to get that momentum built up again and pick up wins against these kinds of teams.

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If for anything than to show they have indeed made tangible progress from last year. And that might be the greater measure for success this season.