Magic 2024-25 Schedule: Top Games, Championship Odds and Record Predictions
The Orlando Magic are ready to take the next step toward title contention.
After the Magic's best regular-season record in 13 years ended in the first round, Orlando could be prepared to make a deeper run in 2025.
The offseason addition of three-and-D wing Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and the further development of Magic star Paolo Banchero will make this a team a playoff contender to watch in 2024-25.
Here's a look at the biggest matchups to keep an eye on as the new-and-improved Magic look to make a run at the 2025 playoffs.
2024-25 Magic Schedule Details
Season Opener: at Miami Heat, Wed, Oct 23, 7:30 p.m. ET.
Championship Odds: +4000 (bet $100 to win $4000), per FanDuel
Full Schedule: The full schedule is available on NBA.com.
Top Matchups
Denver Nuggets
Caldwell-Pope may have only spent two seasons in Denver, but he won the 2023 title with the Nuggets. Keep an eye out for the veteran guard to get a nod from his former team when he returns to Ball Arena.
Cleveland Cavaliers
The Cavaliers eliminated the Magic from the first round after former Cleveland head coach JB Bickerstaff pulled his starters in the final game of the regular season, seemingly in order to lock in a matchup with Orlando. This young team will be looking for redemption when the two teams reunite this season.
Miami Heat
This in-state rivalry has the chance to ramp up this season with both the Magic and the Heat likely contending for a playoff spot next spring. The Magic lost three of four games within this in-state matchup during the 2023-24 season, and will now be looking for redemption when the next regular-season series begins this fall.
New York Knicks, Philadelphia 76ers, Brooklyn Nets and Charlotte Hornets
The NBA's second annual in-season competition kicks off in November with the Magic competing against four other Eastern Conference teams. Orlando, which did not advance to the knockout round last season after narrowly losing out to the powerhouse Boston Celtics, could be set to emerge victorious from Group A this fall.
Season Forecast
After declining to re-sign starting point guard Markelle Fultz for a sixth season in Orlando, the Magic seem prepared to move 2021 first-rounder Jalen Suggs into the position. How Suggs is able to transition into that new role is going to be key to the success of the Magic's rotation heading into the campaign.
That would set up Caldwell-Pope to take over Suggs' previous position of shooting guard, while the Magic's starting frontcourt is likely to comprise of Banchero, Franz Wagner and Wendell Carter Jr.
The development of Banchero's ability to build on last season's All-Star campaign will be another key part of the Magic's postseason hopes. After averaging a career-high 22.6 points during the regular season, Banchero upped his game to average 27.0 points through seven playoff games while showing flashes of his potential to become a star.
Meanwhile the Magic will look for young players like Anthony Black to develop his offensive game on the team's second unit. After finishing last season having averaged an NBA-low 11.0 three-pointers per game, this team is need of more efficient three-point shooting from its reserves this fall.
If the Magic get a breakout season from Banchero, see success from Suggs at the point and use Caldwell-Pope's three-point shooting to help space the floor, this team is set to build on last season with another winning record and playoff appearance in 2025.
Record Prediction: 46-36
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