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Orlando Magic: 4 key players off to a hot start this season

By Holden Walter-Warner

TORONTO, ON - OCTOBER 29: Cole Anthony #50 of the Orlando Magic holds Jalen Suggs #4 during the second half of their NBA game against the Toronto Raptors at Scotiabank Arena on October 29, 2021 in Toronto, Canada. 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 Cole Burston/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - OCTOBER 29: Cole Anthony #50 of the Orlando Magic holds Jalen Suggs #4 during the second half of their NBA game against the Toronto Raptors at Scotiabank Arena on October 29, 2021 in Toronto, Canada. 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 Cole Burston/Getty Images) /
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Orlando Magic
Cole Anthony #50 of the Orlando Magic reacts in the first half against the New York Knicks (Photo by Steven Ryan/Getty Images) /

Key players off to a hot start for the Orlando Magic this season: 1. Cole Anthony

Who else? Cole Anthony, a second-year point guard, is not only off to a hot start, but he’s separating himself as a contender for Most Improved Player.

Anthony has been on fire to start the season, averaging 19.3 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 4.9 assists per game. He’s hitting 44 percent of his shots, including 39.1 percent of his attempts from three.

The Magic have been pushing Anthony hard, putting him on the court for 33.9 minutes per game. The point guard is running with that trust straight towards success.

Despite the bigger role he’s playing, Anthony hasn’t seen a significant uptick in turnovers, which sometimes goes hand-in-hand with a major role for a developing guard. His 2.8 turnovers per game aren’t terrible, especially when compared to his 2.3 turnovers per game as a rookie.

One area that isn’t looked at often is Anthony’s ability to disrupt opponents by drawing fouls on the offensive end. The point guard has drawn seven offensive fouls this season, which leads the team.

Will Anthony be able to keep it up? He had one of his worst games of the season in Wednesday night’s blowout loss to the Brooklyn Nets, scoring just 10 points and having a season-low -23 plus/minus.

Bad games are to be expected occasionally, though. For the Orlando Magic, the hot start of Cole Anthony being a sign of things to come is all they can dream about.

Next. Jalen Suggs was always going to struggle. dark

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