(Photo : (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)) ORLANDO, FLORIDA – APRIL 01: The Orlando Magic huddle throughout a recreation in opposition to the Portland Trail Blazers at Kia Center on April 01, 2024 in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or utilizing this {photograph}, User is consenting to the phrases and circumstances of the Getty Images License Agreement.
After ending final season 34-48, the Orlando Magic are preventing for the second seed within the NBA Eastern Conference with simply 4 video games remaining within the season; probably having their first 50-win season because the Dwight Howard period.
This season, the Magic have been a significant feel-good story and emerged as a power within the Eastern Conference, because of nice teaching and participant growth.
With the Milwaukee Bucks faltering and the Magic gaining momentum, it is easy to see Orlando snagging the second seed from Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks.
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Orlando Magic: Young Core
The Orlando Magic’s outstanding success this season can largely be attributed to the promising younger roster they’ve assembled.
Some of the gamers on their roster are 25 years outdated or youthful. Still, they’ve discovered a strategy to win video games regardless of their lack of expertise.
Paolo Banchero, the 2022 No.1 total choose, has had an All-Star 12 months in simply his second NBA season.
Banchero elevated his averages to 22.4 factors, 6.8 rebounds, and 5.3 assists per recreation whereas taking pictures 46.1% from the sector. In growing his level totals and shot proportion from his rookie season, Paolo has continued to blossom right into a famous person.
Paolo Banchero has grow to be one of many few gamers in NBA historical past to have received the Rookie of the Year award and make an All-Star staff in his first two seasons within the NBA.
Franz Wagner has continued to play a pivotal function for this Orlando Magic staff, averaging 19.6 factors per recreation this season. Wagner has served as a reliant secondary possibility behind Banchero.
After a disappointing begin to his profession, Jalen Suggs has discovered his groove with the Magic, proving to be a key participant whose influence will be felt on either side of the ground.
Moritz Wagner, Wendell Carter Jr., Cole Anthony, and Markelle Fultz have all achieved nice jobs rounding out this good Orlando Magic staff thus far this season.
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Orlando Magic: Scrappy Identity
More importantly, this staff has an identification. The Orlando Magic are among the finest defensive groups within the NBA. Under head coach Jamahl Mosley, Orlando has changed into a defensive juggernaut, posting a defensive score of 110.6, which makes them the third-best defensive staff within the league.
They have achieved a superb job in closing on 3-point pictures, rating fourth in opponents’ makes and ninth in opponents’ proportion.
Orlando Magic: Right Rotation
Mosley has rolled a lineup that includes Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner, Wendell Carter Jr., Jalen Suggs, and Gary Harris over the past month, giving the Orlando Magic an impressive steadiness of protection and scoring.
That lineup has given the Magic some good momentum as they race in the direction of the top of the NBA season.
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How do the Orlando Magic Stack Up to the Rest of the Teams within the East?
On the one hand, the Orlando Magic have a younger roster in comparison with the Milwaukee Bucks and New York Knicks, who’re each older ball golf equipment.
Compared to the Cleveland Cavaliers, they’re each younger rosters with loads of upside that have not achieved something within the playoffs simply but.
This 12 months, NBA groups could also be shocked if the Orlando Magic may go on a playoff run with their youthful staff after lacking the NBA Playoffs only a 12 months in the past.
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