1 advantage the Orlando Magic have over each Play-In competitor

2024 is a year of high(er) hopes for the Orlando Magic.

In the post-FIBA World Cup existence, the team’s stock is on the rise. Fans were treated to Paolo Banchero playing center on the USA national team, and the Wagner brothers winning gold for Germany.

So now, going into the upcoming season, expectations are higher than they have been in the past 10 years.

This upcoming season for the Orlando Magic is one that everyone has been looking for. The hope of making the postseason feels well within reach. How will the Magic overcome their competitors to get there?

Those expectations include at least a Play-In Tournament appearance with most fans dreaming of a spot in the top six seeds.

Baby steps for this young Magic team, who jumped up 12 wins last season to 34 wins and feel like a .500 season is around the corner. That is the first step to building a longer-lasting playoff run.

Currently, the Magic are projected right alongside the other teams competing for those four spots in the Eastern Conference. They are squarely in the mix of teams that believe and can make the postseason next year.

And for Orlando, despite not being able to keep pace in 2023, there are some bright spots and potential for matchup advantages if it were to come to that late in the season. The Magic, after all, were the last team eliminated from playoff consideration last season. Orlando got to the final three games with something to play for.

As the Magic eye taking that next level up to the postseason this year, they will have to best their competitors and displace someone already in the field to get there. Here is one advantage the Magic have over each potential Play-In competitors.