Previous: . Orlando Magic. 21. team. 38. Catching the Phoenix Suns without Isaiah Thomas was a nice way for the Magic to earn their fifth road win of the season and halt a four-game skid, but something tells me as the weeks go by this team will slip further and further away from playoff contention. As their record stands now, the Magic are only one game behind the Indiana Pacers for the eighth seed in the East, but even with Nikola Vucevic, Tobias Harris and Evan Fournier all playing great basketball, the playoffs feel like a long shot.
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<p>That may also have a lot to do with Orlando’s intentions for the season, muddled though they may be. Many were confused by the acquisitions of veteran players like Channing Frye and Ben Gordon, but make no mistake: Orlando is fully expecting an appearance in the NBA draft lottery this season. Interesting then, how things will shake out if the Magic continue to exceed expectations in the middling East.</p>. (7-12)