The Orlando Magic return to action Thursday when they take on the Detroit Pistons at home. A sneaky big game, as they have gone 0-2 against the struggling Pistons this season.
That will begin a 23-game sprint to the end of the regular season, one which fans will be hoping culminates in a spot in the Play-In Tournament.
In order for the organization to achieve this, a lot is going to have to go right for them.
In their defense, they will have been boosted by the Chicago Bulls’ struggles and Kevin Durant departing the Brooklyn Nets for the Phoenix Suns.
Ultimately, the Orlando Magic’s journey to the Play-In Tournament will be about them and whether they can go on a win streak to make up the four games separating them from the Washington Wizards and Toronto Raptors for that final spot.
Internally, there are three individuals who are going to play a big part in deciding how close the Orlando Magic get to the goal of making the Play-in.
While Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner are obviously crucial to everything the franchise does, it is going to take a lot more than the team’s stars to get the job done. Everyone is going to have to step up to make this push, as critical as Banchero and Wagner are.
Both Wagner and Banchero experienced slumps this year, and we all know they are the best two players the Magic have. It is a given that they have to be at their best in order for the team to do well.
If the following three individuals can raise their game, however, then the Magic will arrive at the Play-in full of confidence and ahead of schedule.