For as good as the Orlando Magic looked over the first three games of the season, they looked just as bad or even worse over the next three games. The Magic started off the season winning 2 of their first three games and had me singing their praises and complimenting on their ability to play team basketball and win when nobody thought they could. I even asked the question, “Could the Orlando Magic be a playoff team this season?” Now obviously, I was asking that question to simply stir up some debate and get people wondering. I have never once thought that this team could actually make the playoffs. However, I do think that I may have gotten a little ahead of myself. Last week I predicted that the Magic would win 2 out their 3 next games. They had one game against the Timberwolves and two games against the Brooklyn Nets. I couldn’t have been more wrong. The Magic proceeded to lose all three games and make me look like I don’t know what I’m talking about. These were bad losses too and the Magic looked terrible. Through the first three games of the season, as a team, Orlando averaged 103.3 points per game. Over the next three games they averaged a mere 72.3 points per game. The difference is like night and day, and scoring 70 points a game just isn’t going to get the job done.
It doesn’t get any easier for the Magic either. Tonight they play host to the NBA’s only remaining unbeaten, the New York Knicks. The Knicks have come out on fire to start the year, averaging 104.5 points per game and shooting 44% from the three point line. Every win thus far has been by a margin of ten or more points and they lead the league in points per game differential with an incredible +17. Carmelo Anthony is finally the main man again just like he wanted, and he is taking full advantage and averaging 27 points per game. The Knicks are a good team, no doubt about it. Now are they the best team in the East, as their record indicates now? No, I don’t believe so. They are playing better than expected and their first loss is coming soon, but I don’t think the Magic will be the team to hand it to them. On Sunday the Magic travel to Detroit to take on the winless the Pistons. This is a game that Orlando needs to win, and should win. The Pistons have looked very bad thus far and teams have been scoring at will against their horrendous defense. The Magic have been struggling to score but I expect a big night from the offense against the hapless Pistons.
The Magic started off the season winning their first two games. But now with Orlando faltering as of late and losing four straight games, let’s take a look at both some positives and negatives we can glean from this team:
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Positive |
Negative |
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Southeast Division Standings
- Miami- 6-2
- Atlanta- 3-3
- Charlotte- 2-3
- Orlando- 2-4
- Washinton- 0-5
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Result |
MVP |
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| Wed 11/7 (A) Minnesota |
L 75-90 |
J.J. Redick- 16 pts, 2 reb |
| Fri 11/9 (H) Brooklyn |
L 68-107 |
E’Twaun Moore- 18 pts, 5 ast, 4 reb |
| Sun 11/11 (A) Brooklyn |
L 74-82 |
Arron Afflalo- 19 pts, 7 reb, 5 ast |
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Prediction |
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| Tue 11/13 (H) New York (4-0) |
L 88- 102 |
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| Fri 11/9 (A) Detroit (0-8) |
W 104-93 |
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Written by Madison Warfel
I graduated from Lancaster Bible College in the spring of 2012 with a bachelor's degree in Sports Management and Ministry. I am working to enter the field of sports journalism and plan to pursue a masters degree in sports journalism in the near future. Everything I have accomplished and will accomplish is only because of the saving grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Without Him I am nothing; all glory goes to our heavenly Father.
