The Orlando Magic returned to Central Florida Monday from their West Coast journey in the identical spot within the standings as when left — and even additional behind the groups forward of them within the race for a spot within the play-in match.
The Magic (29-43) enter Tuesday’s residence sport vs. the Washington Wizards (32-39) a number of video games again within the play-in race with simply 10 video games remaining.
Their 1-3 West Coast swing, which ended with Sunday’s loss to the Los Angeles Lakers, made their probabilities of qualifying for the play-in much less probably getting into the season’s closing three weeks.
Before the journey they have been:
- 4 video games behind Toronto for No. 9
- 3½ video games behind Chicago for No. 10
- 3 video games behind Washington for No. 11
- 2½ video games behind Indiana for No. 12.
Heading into Monday’s video games, they have been:
- 6 video games behind Toronto for No. 9
- 5 video games behind Chicago for No. 10
- 3½ video games behind Indiana for No. 11
- 3½ video games behind Washington for No. 12.
Seeds 7-10 in every convention compete within the play-in match for the Nos. 7 and eight seeds within the playoffs.
With their probabilities of making the play-in fading, how ought to the Magic strategy the season’s closing stretch?
Before the Magic tackle the Wizards, right here’s an evaluation of why they’ve been stagnant within the play-in race and the place they go from right here:
At arm’s size
The Magic’s West Coast journey was a microcosm of why Orlando has stayed caught at No. 13 within the Eastern Conference.
They haven’t constantly honed in on the sport’s little particulars that may be the distinction between successful and shedding — a standard lesson youthful groups must study earlier than taking the following step.
In the Thursday loss to the Phoenix Suns, turnovers and ill-timed fouls harm the Magic. In the loss to the Lakers, it was the extreme fouling and permitting Los Angeles to win the early hustle performs that led to Orlando’s loss.
The particulars being missed from sport to sport might change.
Sometimes it’s not offering sufficient defensive strain early and permitting opponents to get right into a groove offensively. This is what occurred in final Tuesday’s loss to the San Antonio Spurs. Other occasions it may be turnovers, not boxing out, fouling or different areas of the sport.
The Magic must turn into extra per these particulars, which is why they need to maintain pushing for a spot within the play-in, even when the percentages aren’t of their favor of doing so.
The most necessary factor throughout this closing stretch is for the Magic, one of many league’s youngest groups, to play in significant video games which have penalties.
The solely manner for Orlando to achieve the teachings and hardships wanted to develop as a group is by experiencing what it’s prefer to be in these conditions.
Just just like the West Coast journey, the Magic will shut out the common season largely enjoying groups who’ve their play-in or playoff aspirations on the road.
Injury report
Second-year guard Jalen Suggs received’t be out there in opposition to the Wizards for a 3rd consecutive sport due to a concussion.
Kyle Kuzma, the Wizard’s third-leading scorer at 21.2 factors, is listed as out due to a sprained proper ankle.
Magic’s Wine Festival and Auction
The Orlando Wine Festival and Auction benefiting the Orlando Magic Youth Foundation will happen on Saturday at The Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes.
The occasion will elevate funds to help at-risk youth in Central Florida.
Since its debut in 2019, the Orlando Wine Festival and Auction has raised greater than $2 million for the Magic’s basis. The occasion wasn’t held in 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
This article first appeared on OrlandoSentinel.com. Email Khobi Price at [email protected] or comply with him on Twitter at @khobi_price.
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Source: www.bostonherald.com