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Orlando Magic: Will continuity push them to the top in 2019-20?

By Luke Duffy

CLEVELAND, OHIO - MARCH 03: Aaron Gordon #00 Evan Fournier #10 Nikola Vucevic #9 and Terrence Ross #31 all listen to head coach Steve Clifford of the Orlando Magic during the final minutes of the second half against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Quicken Loans Arena on March 03, 2019 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Cavaliers defeated the Magic 107-93. 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 Jason Miller/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OHIO - MARCH 03: Aaron Gordon #00 Evan Fournier #10 Nikola Vucevic #9 and Terrence Ross #31 all listen to head coach Steve Clifford of the Orlando Magic during the final minutes of the second half against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Quicken Loans Arena on March 03, 2019 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Cavaliers defeated the Magic 107-93. 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 Jason Miller/Getty Images) /
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Storyline 2: Can they finish in the top four?

The above headline is phrased much more like an English Premier League goal, but the point remains the same. There wouldn’t be Champions League football on offer for the Magic however, but a chance to have home-court advantage in the first round of the playoffs.

Looking at the rest of the field, and it is fair to expect both the Milwaukee Bucks and Philadelphia 76ers to finish above the Magic. From there, the Brooklyn Nets should be improved with Kyrie Irving on the team, but as we’ve seen things aren’t always straightforward when he lands in a new spot.

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The Boston Celtics too have a lot of talent on paper, but with Jaylen Brown already stirring the pot before even the preseason has tipped off, you get the feeling it won’t be all smooth sailing there either. The Indiana Pacers will be legitimately good, and alongside the Magic are the most underrated team in the conference. The Toronto Raptors still have considerable talent too.

All of which is to say the Magic will have a battle on their hands to finish the top four, but it is certainly not impossible. They will be a borderline elite defensive team again, and while the offense is sure to lag behind, Ross could yet improve on his average from last season (15.1 points per game), while Evan Fournier is the wildcard of the bunch.

If he can show some of the play that got him named to the FIBA World Cup All-Tournament team in China, then he can help his team to improve some on that end. It will be important for them to pile up some wins against divisional rivals like the Hornets, Atlanta Hawks and Washington Wizards, while the improved Miami Heat will represent a tougher challenge.

The main goal for the Magic should be trying to get out of the first round of the playoffs this season, which seems like a lofty goal given the Eastern Conference still has a lot of talent, even in comparison to the loaded West, but would represent another step forward taken. It all looks set up for them to do so, but getting home-court advantage in the first round would be a huge boost.

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