Orlando Magic 2022 Schedule: 5 key stretches to the season

Orlando Magic’s key stretches to 2022

The Closing Kick (March 11-April 10)

If the Orlando Magic are somehow anywhere close to the playoff chase — or the Play-In Tournament — then this final month of the season is going to be vital. The Magic’s schedule is set up for them to make a big run to the finish just like they did in 2019 (although this closing kick is seemingly easier than that 22-9 run).

This finish is not that long. But the Magic’s final month will be one where the team could theoretically close strong.

Just as Orlando started the year off with a road-heavy schedule, the team finishes home-heavy. The Magic play 11 of their final 15 games at the Amway Center. In those 11 games, the Magic face four teams from last year’s Playoffs. The Golden State Warriors are the only other notable contending team making it to the Amway Center at the end of the season.

This part of the schedule also includes a season-long six-game homestand from March 11-22. This includes three of the team’s four NBATV appearances. Whether those stay on NBATV — they will take place at the same time as the NCAA Tournament — will be another question.

But this homestand is fairly manageable from an opponent standpoint — the Minnesota Timberwolves (March 11), Philadelphia 76ers (March 13), Brooklyn Nets (March 15), Detroit Pistons (March 17), Oklahoma City Thunder (March 20) and Golden State Warriors (March 22).

Not just that homestand though, the team has a ton of seemingly manageable group of road game here too. The team visits the Oklahoma City Thunder (March 23), Cleveland Cavaliers (March 28) and Washington Wizards (March 30).

The road trip to Cleveland and Washington are actually the only consecutive road games the team plays after the All-Star Break.

The Magic are not in a position to count any opponent as a sure win. The team is expected to be among the worst teams in the league this year. There is no guaranteed victory.

But this schedule is set up for the team to gain confidence and pick up victories to close the season out. Whether that will be something the team actually wants will be something that gets determined through the four previous stretches we described.