The Orlando Magic are staying above water right now.
Despite Monday’s frustrating double-overtime loss to the Miami Heat, the wheel of the NBA spun in their favor Wednesday with both the Heat and Detroit Pistons losing, leaving the Magic in sixth place in the Eastern Conference as they begin a critical five-game West Coast road trip.
Orlando is still in the playoff race despite losing 17 of its last 26 games and 12 of the last 17 games. Even at 2-8 in the last 10 games and sitting at .500, the Magic still control their playoff destiny. They are still sixth.
The Milwaukee Bucks and Indiana Pacers are running away from them for a spot in 4/5 series with the Pacers leading the Magic by three games.
Orlando has time with 34 games left to make up that ground. The season is far from over. But even while working players back into the rotation, the Magic should be eager to pick up the pace again. There has to be some urgency before the season starts to run out.
It has to start with the team’s West Coast road trip.
Orlando begins a five-game West Coast trip tonight against the Portland Trail Blazers, a team that beat the Magic 102-79 in Orlando last week. It is still a winnable game looking at the standings. The Magic have a chance to win not only on this road trip but also beyond it.
After Orlando returns home following next Thursday’s game against the Denver Nuggets, the Magic play 10 of the next 11 at the Kia Center. In the next 16 games, the Magic will play 10 opponents with records below .500. They will play the Golden State Warriors (currently one game above .500) twice and the Sacramento Kings too.
After going 4-10 in January, the Magic have the opportunity in February to reclaim their spot in the standings. The path to the Playoffs must begin Thursday in Portland. This is the chance for the Magic to make up the ground they have lost in the last two months.
There are a lot of winnable games – despite losses to the Jazz, Blazers and Toronto Raptors in the last few weeks, the Magic remain 15-6 against teams with records below .500 – and many games against teams with similar records.
If the Magic are the team we think they can be, they must start proving it now. If Orlando struggles through February, the season will take a southward turn.
Orlando seems to be coming together. The double-overtime loss was disappointing, but through three quarters in Miami, the Magic had a 123.2 offensive rating. That followed a stirring effort at Kia Center in the win over the Detroit Pistons.
The Magic are starting to get healthier too. While both Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner struggled down the stretch against the Heat, they are both getting healthier and more in rhythm. Goga Bitadze returned in Monday’s game in Miami. And even Gary Harris is set to return Thursday night after a prolonged absence with a strained hamstring.
Orlando seems to be coming together at the most important part of the season. This is the time for them to find their groove again.
Ultimately, as the season concludes, the goal is to play their best basketball in March and April. The team seems on its way. Now is the time to cement it.
