Orlando Magic:
Offense: (104.9) 29th
Defense: (107.1) 7th
Net: (minus -2.2) 20th
Results Week 16: (1-3) Won vs. Hornets: 112-100, Lost vs. Celtics: 100-116, Knicks: 103-105, Bucks: 95-111
Games Week 17: (2 games) Mon vs Hawks | Weds vs Pistons
The league’s seventh ranked defense is tied to that stat as a precursor to winning. That’s because the Magic rank 29th offensively and did nothing at the deadline to bolster the roster.
Steve Clifford has stated the club will need to emulate their success from last season when the club found their offensive mojo to pair with the stretch run’s top defense. If they want to avoid the Bucks in the first round or even ensure they stay ahead of Washington Wizards they’ll need to channel that stretch run brilliance.
Of all the teams who lost in the first round in the East last year, the Magic was by far the toughest out but they’ve got a ton of ground to cover to get back to that same team.