Orlando Magic Daily
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3 reasons the Orlando Magic have strung wins together

By Luke Duffy

ORLANDO, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 09: Franz Wagner #22 of the Orlando Magic reacts in the final seconds of the fourth quarter of the game against the Toronto Raptors at Amway Center on December 09, 2022 in Orlando, Florida. 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. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 09: Franz Wagner #22 of the Orlando Magic reacts in the final seconds of the fourth quarter of the game against the Toronto Raptors at Amway Center on December 09, 2022 in Orlando, Florida. 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. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images) /
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Orlando Magic
Cole Anthony of the Orlando Magic goes to the net between Chris Boucher and Pascal Siakam of the Toronto Raptors (Photo by Cole Burston/Getty Images) /

2. Players have stepped up

An interesting debate broke out on this website last weekend, when the question was posed as to whether you would start or trade guard Cole Anthony if they were the only two options available to you.

The answers were varied and passionate, and this is a fan base that has strong opinions on what he can mean to the organization in future. It is timely then that Anthony has returned from injury and been a real spark for the Magic over the course of these wins.

In that second Raptors win in particular, starting point guard Markelle Fultz really struggled, finishing with seven points and four assists in 23 minutes. It did not matter, as Anthony stepped into that gap to the tune of 14 and 6 in 29 minutes.

It has not been just Anthony however. With Bol Bol continuing to be the breakout player for the Magic this season. At this point it is fair to ask the question if he is a top 50 trade asset in the entire league with how he has played.

With Wendell Carter injured and Mo Bamba more comfortable in a lesser role, Bol Bol has been everything the Magic have needed him to be. In order for the franchise to continue winning games and showing improvement, the second unit and back end of their roster needs to grab these opportunities and deliver.

Chuma Okeke is currently out injured, and while he has the body and type of game to guard some of the better wing players in the league, offensively they look better without him.

The same is true of Carter, and the Magic have stumbled into a rotation that, offensively at least, is capable of putting some of the better teams in the league to the sword. The tricky part will be bottling this and sprinkling it on future lineups when the group are fully healthy.