On the subject of making an attempt to qualify for the NBA’s play-in event, the Orlando Magic have been caught in a holding sample.
The Magic (28-40) enter Tuesday’s matchup at San Antonio (17-50) at thirteenth within the Jap Convention standings — a spot they’ve been caught at because the starting of 2023. Having missed out on alternatives to shut the hole is a part of the explanation they’re a number of video games again within the play-in race.
Seeds 7-10 in every convention compete within the play-in event for the Nos. 7 and eight seeds within the playoffs.
Getting into Jan. 1, the Magic have been 13-24 and:
- 4½ video games behind Atlanta for the No. 9 spot
- 3½ video games behind Chicago for No. 10
- 3½ video games behind Toronto for No. 11
- 3 video games behind Washington for No. 12.
On the All-Star break, they have been 24-35 and:
- 4½ video games behind Washington for No. 9
- 4 video games behind Toronto for No. 10
- 2 video games behind Chicago for No. 11
- 1½ video games behind Indiana for No. 12.
Tuesday they have been:
- 4 video games behind Toronto for No. 9
- 3½ video games behind Chicago for No. 10
- 3 video games behind Washington for No. 11.
- 2 1/2 video games behind Indiana for No. 12.
Why haven’t the Magic made a leap within the standings? Is there sufficient time for them to make up floor and qualify for the event?
Earlier than the Magic tackle the Spurs, right here’s an evaluation of what’s occurred and what is going to seemingly have to occur over the ultimate 14 video games:
Magic lacking profitable run
The Magic not placing collectively a profitable run of significance during the last 2½ months has led to them staying at thirteenth.
They’ve gone 15-16 since 2023 began — the identical document as Chicago and Washington throughout that stretch.
Solely Toronto (16-16) has had a greater document because the begin of the yr among the many groups the Magic are chasing. Indiana has gone 11-20 in 2023. The Pacers went 1-9 whereas All-Star guard Tyrese Haliburton was sidelined for 2½ weeks.
The Magic haven’t gone on a profitable streak of longer than two video games since mid-December after they gained six straight. They went by way of a month-long sample of “win one, lose one” — which ended this previous week after they misplaced three straight whereas beginning middle Wendell Carter Jr. was sidelined due to hip ache.
Going 1-3 final week was a missed alternative, particularly with Washington (1-3 final week) and Toronto (0-3) struggling on the identical time.
Carter’s absence had a transparent impression on final week’s defensive troubles.
However even earlier than final week, there have been different missed alternatives. The house loss to the Pacers the place the Magic’s protection didn’t play as much as their commonplace stands out.
Taking part in with higher consistency is a lesson the Magic, like most younger groups, are studying.
The Magic are 23-21 since Dec. 5. Having a document of round .500 is progress for an Orlando group that went 22-60 final season and began the yr 5-19. However not occurring one other profitable run has harm them.
What the Magic will seemingly want
Making a leap within the standings gained’t be straightforward, particularly with most groups having 14 or 15 video games remaining.
Atlanta, Chicago, Washington and Toronto are on tempo to win 37 to 39 video games. To interrupt the 38-win mark, the Magic might want to go at the very least 10-4.
The Wizards are the one group the Magic will play down the stretch, with matchups on March 21 in Orlando and March 31 in Washington.
The Magic haven’t gone on a stretch this season the place they gained at the very least 71.4% of their video games throughout a 14-game pattern. Their greatest 14-game stretch occurred from Dec. 7-Jan. 5, after they went 9-5.
The mountain in entrance of the Magic isn’t inconceivable to climb.
However their margin for error is slimmer than it was a few weeks in the past.
Play-in or draft place?
The Magic have made it clear they’re going to maintain pushing for a spot within the play-in — the correct course to go in.
An important factor throughout this last stretch is for Orlando, one of many league’s youngest groups, to realize extra expertise taking part in in significant video games which have penalties.
They’re additionally too far forward of the groups beneath them within the standings to fall in with them within the battle for higher odds at a better draft choose.
It’s evident the Magic have grown in how they deal with pressured-filled late-game conditions.
Saturday’s additional time house win over Miami was a very good instance. They misplaced to the Warmth in an identical scenario in additional time final month at Amway Middle.
The Magic’s youthful gamers have to proceed to play in environments and conditions.
“I may give an extended dissertation about that,” Warmth coach Erik Spoelstra mentioned. “Anytime you've video games which have which means, context [and] penalties the place you must learn to play profitable basketball, I feel is sweet for any younger group — the place you’re not gifted minutes that don’t imply something.
“It’s not about stats. It’s not about pictures. It’s not about a lot you rating. It’s about discovering a solution to win the sport. From that standpoint, you solely be taught that when the video games have that type of which means.”
This text first appeared on OrlandoSentinel.com. E-mail Khobi Worth at khprice@orlandosentinel.com or comply with him on Twitter at @khobi_price.
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