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Orlando Magic: How they can get back to the playoffs

By Luke Duffy

ORLANDO, FLORIDA - JANUARY 26: Terrence Ross #8 of the Orlando Magic celebrates with Khem Birch #24 and Mo Bamba #5 against the LA Clippers during the second half at Amway Center on January 26, 2020 in Orlando, Florida. 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 Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FLORIDA - JANUARY 26: Terrence Ross #8 of the Orlando Magic celebrates with Khem Birch #24 and Mo Bamba #5 against the LA Clippers during the second half at Amway Center on January 26, 2020 in Orlando, Florida. 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 Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /
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Orlando Magic
(Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images) /

3. Get several players performing again

The Magic got career years out of Vucevic and D.J. Augustin last season, while Gordon and Khem Birch turned in their most impressive campaigns to date as well. The same could arguably be said for Terrence Ross. So far this season, however, nobody except Evan Fournier is having close to what could be defined as a career year.

The fact he is the Orlando Magic’s most consistent (and probably best) player not only says a lot about where they’re at right now, it doesn’t sit brilliantly with a lot of fans either. Vucevic is still averaging 19 points and 10.8 rebounds per contest, but he has not been as consistently brilliant as last season when he was named an All-Star for the first time.

Gordon too has had some great games, and then followed them up with some below-par efforts while battling injuries, although the controversy surrounding the Slam Dunk contest may spur him on to new heights once the regular season picks back up. It would be great to get more consistency from both of those guys, but the player the Magic should be looking to get involved more is Ross.

He is not nicknamed “The Human Torch” for nothing, and last season was in the conversation for Sixth Man of the Year. He came off the bench, knowing his role as an offensive microwave and hitting 38.3 percent of his seven attempts per game from deep. This lead to him averaging 15.1 points per contest, a career high.

More than that though Ross served as the release valve offensively both for the second unit and alongside the starters. Offensive play is not the Magic’s strong suit, in much the same way it was not last season. It is no surprise though, that they are even uglier so far this campaign, and the underperforming of Ross is a key reason for this.

His 13.4 points per game isn’t a huge drop off from last season, but the 32.2 percent he is shooting from 3-point range most certainly is. His confidence looks low right now, and the team need to change that. Other than this, if Markelle Fultz could show more of the game that he displayed earlier in the season, then the Magic would be in a good place to win some games and solidify their position as the seventh or eighth seed for the postseason.

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