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5 most important stretches of Orlando Magic’s 2024 season

By Philip Rossman-Reich

Markelle Fultz charged the Orlando Magic to a win over the Chicago Bulls as their play-in chase gets more real. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports
Markelle Fultz charged the Orlando Magic to a win over the Chicago Bulls as their play-in chase gets more real. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Pascal Siakam, Toronto Raptors, Markelle Fultz, Orlando Magic
Feb 14, 2023; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors forward Pascal Siakam (43) tries to get around Orlando Magic guard Markelle Fultz (20) during the first half at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports /

5 most important stretches of the Orlando Magic’s season

The Long Homestand (March 17-April 1)

March 17: vs. Toronto
March 19: vs. Charlotte
March 21: vs. New Orleans
March 23: vs. Sacramento
March 27: vs. Golden State
March 29: vs. LA Clippers
March 30: vs. Memphis
April 1: vs. Portland

The Orlando Magic do have some extended homestands — a three-game stay at home here and there after the late November In-Season Tournament four-game homestand. But it really does feel like the Magic spend a lot of time on the road.

This is a difficult schedule. Every schedule is virtually the same as any other — every team has parts of their schedule they despise and are upset about. Every team still has to get over it and play their schedule. They have to find a way.

The schedule does balance out at some points. Everybody gets the parts of the schedule they like. And the Magic will get that at the end of March.

An eight-game homestand that could end up being decisive in their postseason chase.

Orlando according to some metrics has one of the 10 toughest schedules before the All-Star Break (admittedly, the bulk of the season) that includes most of their league-high 15 back-to-backs. Those same metrics say the Magic have one of the easiest schedules after the All-Star Break.

This homestand is a big reason why.

There are tough opponents, it is not going to be some cakewalk. But clearly, one of the things the Magic will have to do to make the postseason is to defend the Amway Center better. The team finished 20-21 at the Amway Center last year, thanks to fun roster decisions in the home finale against the Cleveland Cavaliers in the final game at home last season.

Orlando certainly should make it a goal to be a comfortably winning team on the home floor next season.

The Magic know how big a late-season homestand can be. Orlando used a perfect 5-0 homestand in the 2019 season heading into the final two games on the road to cement their place in the postseason. The Magic would clinch their first playoff berth in seven years one game later in Boston.

Orlando is hoping it will not desperately need a perfect 22-9 finish to make the playoffs like it did in that 2019 season.

But the Magic will have that cushion if they need it. And this homestand could be the kind of homestand that either cements the Magic’s postseason position, enables them to climb up the standings or could be the death knell if they do not take advantage of this stretch of games.

Orlando will have its work cut out for it to get to this moment of the season. It is a moment the Magic need to take advantage of.

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