Orlando Magic : 3 reasons they can win their games at home

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1. Their best players will find their feet

The biggest disappointment of the playoffs for the Magic so far has been the play of All-Star Nikola Vucevic. In essentially his first run in the playoffs (unless you count a few minutes on the court as a rookie with the Philadelphia 76ers) Vucevic has been a pedestrian through two games.

The double-double machine has looked unsure of himself offensively, struggling to deal with the double-teams that have come his way and failing to be the focal point which his team revolves around. Of all the players on the roster, he will be the one most desperate to get back to the comforts of him.

He had 11 points and eight rebounds in the Game 1 win, and an awful six point, six rebound effort in Game 2. Coach Clifford was aware of Vucevic’s struggles too, as he went from playing 33 minutes in the opener to only 25 the following game. Vucevic has never been the best player on a playoff team before, and he is obviously figuring this thing out.

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There is no way he is as absent in the next two games, and that is a welcome sign for the Magic. Augustin has had his moment and it was great for player and team, but if the odds are to be upset here then Vucevic has to perform. The same is also true of Evan Fournier, who has just not looked himself either.

With the spotlight brighter, he labored to 10 points and five rebounds in Game 2 after an impressive 16-point performance in their win. More is needed from him if the Magic are to have any shot.

Second-year player Jonathan Isaac also falls into this category, spending far too much time taking 3-pointers than actually trying to get into the paint and be a factor.

We can give him a pass, as he is a young player who is experiencing the postseason for the first time. He enjoyed his first breakout this season, no matter how the rest of this series goes. Gordon, on the other hand, was the Magic’s best player in that Game 2loss. He defended Leonard diligently and finished with 20 points and five rebounds.

He did not look in the least bit fazed by being in an arm-wrestle with an elite team. He played the same game as he had all season. That is, being the most consistent two-way player on the roster, making some 3-pointers and driving to the basket.

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If he can take it up another notch — and really there’s no reason to doubt this — then combined with better play from others which is coming, the Orlando Magic have a chance to win at least one game at home to make this a real series.