Orlando Magic: 3 takeaways from their 2021-22 schedule

Takeaways from the Orlando Magic schedule: 1. The first month is brutal

Aside from the unexpected start in San Antonio, the first month of the schedule for the Magic in general makes for some tough reading. A whopping 18 of their first 28 games will be on the road. Although they might actually sneak a win against the Spurs, games against the New York Knicks (home and then away) follow, while after that it is a trip to see the old enemy in the Miami Heat. The most optimistic fan would have the Magic 2-2 after that.

Then the Charlotte Hornets are in town, before going out on the road again to see the Toronto Raptors and Detroit Pistons. All three of these games will probably be reasonably close, with the Magic coming out on the wrong end of a couple of those. We’ll say they’ll be 3-4, but in 10 days will have been to Texas, New York, Miami, Toronto and Detroit. Talk about air miles.

After that slog they are rewarded with… a trip to Minnesota to take on a Timberwolves franchise that is trying to bring itself back to life. 3-5, and more miles on the clock. What follows will be a welcome sight in the first long homestand of the season. Five games at the Amway Center.

The catch? Four of the teams coming in made the postseason last year, with the Boston Celtics, Utah Jazz and Brooklyn Nets all trying to make their respective Conference Finals again at the very least this time out. The Washington Wizards and Spurs round out the visitors, in what will be a tough batch of games even if the setting is more familiar.

By that point, we’re basically a month into the year and guess what? It is time for those five games against Eastern Conference opposition. Nobody ever said life in the league is easy, but that first month really will serve as a reality check as to where the Magic stand in the grand scheme of things.

It also explains well why a high character veteran like Robin Lopez was signed to a one-year deal earlier this offseason. He is the kind of personality that can help navigate all of the losing. A guy always in good form, who will pick up the youngsters when they are going through rough times because of the losing. It is going to be a tough year, but a necessary one. Better times are coming.