Preseason revealed how the Orlando Magic still need to grow

Where the Orlando Magic still need to grow

Defense

Defense is where the Orlando Magic have thrived in the preseason, and will hopefully continue to do so.

Last season the Magic gave up 112.2 points per game with a 112.1 defensive rating. This preseason they allowed 105.2 points per game with an outstanding rating of 102.5 points allowed per 100 possessions.

In the regular season, it will be hard for them to keep such a great defensive rating, but this looks like a step in the right direction.

However, this is exactly what you want to see from a young athletic team. The defense from the Magic this preseason has been outstanding, and with a struggling offense they will need this to stay in games.

These young athletes learning defensively is a key to this season, they have had the tools to be a great defensive team maybe they will finally show it.

The Magic averaged 10.4 steals per game and 6.0 blocks per game which are both major upgrades from last year. This will create easy points from them and let the defense help a struggling offense.

They even allowed fewer second-chance points. Last year they allowed 13.4 second-chance points per game and in the preseason allowed 8.4 second-chance points per game. Second-chance points are a killer especially when you get a good stop, or make a good defensive play.

The Magic have great rebounders and they need every stop they can get.

More minutes for Bol Bol might have to do with this and they may play him more in the regular season because of his impact. He had an impact rebounding and protecting the rim. They allowed 41.2 points in the paint per game in the preseason which is more than a four-point difference from last season.