We are creeping up on a quarter of the way through the 2023-2024 NBA season, and things are going about as expected. Boston has the best record in the East, Denver is one of the top teams in the West, and the Orlando Magic are 13-5 and on an 8-game winning streak. Woah...
Orlando is a game away from tying it's franchise-high for consecutive wins at nine games. The Magic will have the chance at franchise history tomorrow night against the Washington Wizards (3-15) at the Amway Center. This is the same team that won 34 games in all of last season and Las Vegas predicted to win just 35.5 games this season. With the Magic behind only Boston for the throne of the Eastern Conference through nearly 20 game, it begs the question: can Magic fans start to raise their expectations of this Orlando Magic team?
- Coming into the season, even the most over-ambitious fans predicted the Magic would most likely finish as the 5th or 6th seed in the Eastern Conference. Sitting at 2nd currently, is there a chance Orlando could have home-court advantage in a playoff series?
- Paolo Banchero already has an Eastern Conference Player of the Week under his belt this season as the Magic cruise through this home stand. Is it possible Franz Wagner could get it this week after scoring 31 points against the Wizards? And if the Magic remain one of the top teams in the conference, is there a path for two Orlanod Magic players getting represented in the All Star game?
- As mentioned, the Magic won 34 games last season - a 12 win improvement from the season prior. If the Magic stay the course, they would finish with a record of 59-23. Now, let's be real, this winning streak won't go on forever. With that being said, is it crazy to think this Magic team could improve by another 12 wins and finish 46-38? If so, head coach must be a shoe-in for NBA Coach of the Year, right?
- Cole Anthony is putting up some of the best numbers of any player coming off of the bench this season. 15.6 PPG (4th), 3.78 APG (T-9th), 4.7 RPG (Top 15). Can 'Hollywood Cole' make a push for 6th Man of the Year Cole?
Brandon and I discussed this Orlando Magic winning streak, the sustainability of it, and all of these questions on Thursday on 'In The Zone'. Listen to the full segment at the podcast linked below...