Orlando Magic: 3 reasons why they made the playoffs

2. They created a defensive identity

For years the Magic had no identity, going from one game to the next with fans usually unsure how exactly they would be playing. All of that changed this year though, and it took head coach Steve Clifford less than a full regular season to implement his vision.

The Magic became a great defensive team at times, and for a 10-game stretch after the All-Star break, had the best defensive rating in the league. On the year, they are going to finish close to where they sit now (eighth, 107.4). Whenever games weren’t going their way, they returned to the defensive roots Clifford had put down early.

It didn’t always result in a win, but it was clear watching them play that it brought cohesiveness to how they approached any opponent. This newfound defensive intensity also created another trait that got the Magic to the playoffs: never knowing they’re beaten.

Ironically this was perhaps best illustrated in the win over the Celtic’s that made their return to the postseason official. The Magic watched a 15-point lead evaporate in the fourth quarter, as the Celtics made their run and cut the lead down to one.

Even as recently as the tail end of 2018, the Magic would have crumbled and lost that game. Instead they remained composed to hold off the Celtics and escape with the win. Their defensive intensity went up a notch, with Daniel Theis taking (and missing) three efforts from 3-point range in the final five minutes.

Any time you can take the ball out of Kyrie Irving’s hands, or even Jaylen Brown’s, you are doing something right. That win was a microcosm of their season, defending brilliantly and not allowing a lead to slip away. It also highlighted their ability to turn up against better opposition, something they did many times over the course of the season.