The Orlando Magic are feeling something strange right now.
As Cole Anthony noted after the Orlando Magic wrapped up their preseason with a win over the Cleveland Cavaliers, the Magic had just completed their first four-game win streak since winning the first four games of his rookie season in December 2020.
OK, it is preseason and this win streak technically will not count. But the Magic are feeling very encouraged by what they have seen, even knowing what it is.
Orlando finished its preseason at 4-1. But more than that, the team seemed to cement its identity in many ways.
They saw some of the struggles they may have in executing their offense and defense but also some of the successes. There is plenty of cleanup but plenty to look back on as a model as they prepare for Wednesday’s season opener against the Detroit Pistons.
The Orlando Magic are feeling encouraged exiting their preseason. There is still a lot to work on but plenty to be encouraged as we look back to start moving forward.
The Magic for the first time in a long time can count on a winning preseason as at least a base for future success. Or maybe not. It is just preseason, after all.
For whatever statistics are worth in the preseason, the Magic finished 17th in the preseason in net rating at +1.2 points per 100 possessions. They were 22nd in offensive rating at 103.7 points per 100 possessions and 11th in defensive rating at 102.5 points allowed per 100 possessions.
That certainly leaves plenty of room to improve. And many of the Magic’s best players sat out in close games when they were able to pull out the victories. So all of these stats — and the stats that follow — should be taken with some grains of salt.
Still, things were overall positive.
Outside of fouling too much (a common preseason problem), Orlando’s defense was largely solid. Not overwhelmingly so but enough for long enough stretches to help the team take some solid steps forward.
The offense had some real moments of brilliance as the team moved the ball effectively and found easy shots. There was some truly fun and beautiful basketball played.
There was a lot to break down. And the takeaways from a preseason are always going to be much deeper. As the Magic now look ahead to their season, we look at three up and three down from the Magic’s preseason run.