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Orlando Magic: 5 predictions for the 2018-19 NBA season

By Chris Murch

PHILADELPHIA, PA - OCTOBER 01: Head coach Steve Clifford of the Orlando Magic talks to Mohamed Bamba #5 during a timeout during the second quarter of the preseason game against the Philadelphia 76ers at Wells Fargo Center on October 1, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - OCTOBER 01: Head coach Steve Clifford of the Orlando Magic talks to Mohamed Bamba #5 during a timeout during the second quarter of the preseason game against the Philadelphia 76ers at Wells Fargo Center on October 1, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /
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Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images
Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images /

1. Magic become a top-10 defensive team in the NBA

Defense will be the calling card of this team in 2018-19. The Magic are crazy long and with this new “toughness” mantra that head coach Steve Clifford is trying to instill, the defense looks to be much improved over the past few seasons.

For the 2017-18 season, the Magic finished 20th in defensive rating. The were 24th in defensive rebounding average, 20th in steals and 13th in blocks. While these numbers aren’t terrible, they can be improved. With the added improvement of Isaac, the drafting of Bamba, a new defensive-minded coach and the overall development of the rest of the team, the Magic could become a defensive stalwart this season.

The funny thing is, the defense will need to be much improved or this team is in trouble.
While Orlando can score the ball, there is no one on this roster that averaged over 20 points a game last season. Unless Gordon takes the next step, it looks to be more of the same in 2018-19.

Holding teams to under 100 points on a nightly basis will go a long way to winning more games.
Much has been written about Nikola Vucevic’s maligned ways of playing defense inside, and with Bamba hot on his tail for playing time, look for him to (potentially) step it up or run the risk of getting traded or losing time.

Next. Ranking every NBA team's best player in 2018-19. dark

The Magic haven’t sniffed the top 10 in overall defense since 2010-11, when they finished third. Those were the Dwight Howard years. We’re a long way from there and the D has been a mess since. If this side of the court clicks, the Magic could make some noise in the Eastern Conference this season. It’s imperative they improve. If not, expect a lot of sunken faces come April/May.

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