Orlando Magic Schedule Breakdown and Record Predictions for January 2015
After getting blown out by the Detroit Pistons on Tuesday, 109-86, the Orlando Magic ended 2014 with a whimper. With a 13-22 record this season, the new year can't get here fast enough.
They are struggling offensively. The organization added talented shooters in the offseason, acquired a rookie point guard in the draft and developed some of its core players into everyday contributors. However, it is still unable to string together consistent offensive performances.
The wins may be scarce, but the growth is evident. This is, after all, a young team trying to find pieces that fit alongside one another.
Despite finishing December with a record of 6-10, there were some highlights for Orlando. The Magic snapped a 10-game losing streak to the Miami Heat by edging out a 102-101 victory at Miami on Monday. They started the month on a brutal six-game, West Coast road trip and came away with three solid wins. Tobias Harris sunk a buzzer-beater to take down the division-leading Atlanta Hawks.
But enough looking back. Let's look ahead to the new challenges that await Orlando in the new year and make some predictions.
January 1-3
1 of 5
Most Notable Matchup: Brooklyn Nets
Orlando starts the year with a back-to-back against the Brooklyn Nets and Charlotte Hornets.
Brooklyn has struggled at times on the offensive end this season. The Nets rank 22nd in points per game (96.8) and 24th in offensive rating (103.4) per Basketball Reference, but they are streaking, having won five of their last six games.
All-Star center Brook Lopez missed 10 games earlier in the year but scored 29 points against Chicago on Tuesday night and looks rejuvenated.
New head coach Lionel Hollins has Brooklyn on a roll after the team was struggling in the early part of the season. That should continue against Orlando, which will still be reeling as the new year begins.
In the second half of this back-to-back, Orlando will protect home court with a victory over the Hornets.
Without enigmatic guard Lance Stephenson, who's still not close to returning from a sprained pelvis, Orlando will take out its Southeast Division opponent for the third time this season.
Predictions: vs. Brooklyn (January 2, L); vs. Charlotte (January 3, W)
Weekly Record: 1-1
January 4-10
2 of 5
Most Notable Matchup: Portland Trail Blazers
After two home games, Orlando flies out west for a three-game jaunt against some stiff competition—the biggest of which is the week's finale against the Northwest Division-leading Portland Trail Blazers.
Point guard Damian Lillard and power forward LaMarcus Aldridge lead a balanced attack that ranks sixth in scoring and third in points allowed.
Portland holds opponents to 29.5 percent shooting from beyond the arc, which should negate Orlando's fourth-ranked long-range arsenal. Even if Orlando is able to contain Aldridge behind a group effort from Nikola Vucevic, Kyle O'Quinn or Harris, Lillard and his stable of shooters on the perimeter will prove to be too much.
One can only hope this game comes down to the wire, as both Lillard and Harris have proven to be two of the most clutch players in the league this season.
Prior to this game, expect a healthy split in matchups against the Denver Nuggets and Los Angeles Lakers. Denver has been just as inconsistent as Orlando all season, but give them the edge at home where they are 9-8 on the year.
The Lakers are improved as of late but should have no answer for Orlando's bigs at the Staples Center.
Predictions: @ Denver (January 7, L); @ Los Angeles Lakers (January 9, W); @ Portland (January 10, L)
Weekly Record: 1-2
January 11-17
3 of 5
Most Notable Matchup: Chicago Bulls
In this murderer's row of a week, Orlando faces three teams with winning percentages over .700. It could get ugly.
The most important matchup of the week is the first game, which will be against the Chicago Bulls. The lone Eastern Conference team in the mix this week, Chicago marks an emphatic end to Orlando's four-game road trip.
The Bulls are ranked top-10 in team offense, defense, rebounding and seemingly every other pertinent stat on record. The emergence of swingman Jimmy Butler, the relatively healthy Derrick Rose and the additions of Pau Gasol and Nikola Mirotic have this team ready to make some noise in the playoffs and possibly represent the East in the NBA Finals.
Orlando simply lacks the firepower to combat this stampede, particularly at the end of a four-game road trip.
The return home won't be met with open arms, as matchups against the Houston Rockets and Memphis Grizzlies loom.
Despite being known for their offensive stars James Harden and Dwight Howard, Houston has evolved into one of the best defensive teams in basketball. The Rockets rank in the top five in points allowed, field-goal percentage and three-point percentage behind the length and athleticism of Howard, Trevor Ariza and Patrick Beverley.
Memphis completes the three-game sweep on January 16 thanks to a similar smothering defensive performance.
Predictions: @ Chicago (January 12, L); vs. Houston (January 14, L); vs. Memphis (January 16, L)
Weekly Record: 0-3
January 18-24
4 of 5
Most Notable Matchup: Oklahoma City Thunder
The devastation from the previous week spills into the beginning of this new one with a matchup against another Western Conference stud, the Oklahoma City Thunder.
All signs point to Thunder superstar Kevin Durant being ready to roll in this one after suffering an ankle injury back on December 18. He and Russell Westbrook, who ranks second in player efficiency rating by mere decimal points behind Anthony Davis per ESPN.com, are the most formidable duo in the NBA.
This marks the fourth consecutive loss for the Magic against elite competition. Could the Magic steal a win against some of the league's best? Of course they could. But all four of these teams (OKC, Houston, Chicago and Memphis) rank among the league leaders in most defensive categories, and Orlando is one of the worst offensive teams in basketball.
But fear not, for all hope is not lost in 2015 as Orlando flees the Amway Center to seek refuge on the road where they win two straight games against some of the East's bottom-feeders: the Detroit Pistons and New York Knicks.
Detroit has surprisingly won three straight since waiving the mercurial Josh Smith. At this point in the month, Orlando will be rejuvenated by this short road trip and will be seeking revenge for its December dismantling at the hands of Detroit. The revamped Pistons fall short at home.
Orlando closes out the week with another win, this time against the reeling Knicks at Madison Square Garden. New York is just 3-13 at the Garden this season and appears to be in free fall—a perfect opponent for a Magic team looking for some confidence.
Predictions: vs. Oklahoma City (January 18, L); @ Detroit (January 21, W); @ New York (January 23, W)
Weekly Record: 2-1
January 25-31 and Total Record
5 of 5
Most Notable Matchup: Indiana Pacers
The Magic get a much-needed home win when the Indiana Pacers come to town on January 25.
Despite losing Paul George for the entire season, and with both David West and George Hill missing chunks of games due to injury, Indiana still ranks second in points allowed. The Pacers still hang their hats on their defense, and it's kept them afloat despite the roster turmoil.
Other than the Philadelphia 76ers, these are the two lowest-scoring offenses in basketball. In a matchup against two equally anemic offensive units, give the slight edge to the home team.
Orlando travels to Memphis the following night for a rematch against the Grizzlies. On the road on the second night of a back-to-back, don't expect Orlando to exact revenge on Memphis just yet.
In the January finale, Orlando returns home to face the upstart Milwaukee Bucks who are without No. 2 overall pick Jabari Parker as he recovers from his torn ACL. After having the worst record in basketball a season ago, new head coach Jason Kidd has this team playing .500 basketball and firmly entrenched in the Eastern Conference playoff picture.
But this is a measuring stick game for Orlando. The Magic see Milwaukee as themselves, a young team that wants to knock down the door and get into the playoffs. As solid as Milwaukee has played at times, Orlando gets up for this game and takes out the Bucks, ending the month on a positive note.
Predictions: vs. Indiana (January 25, W); @ Memphis (January 26, L); vs. Milwaukee (January 29, W)
Weekly Record: 2-1
Overall January Record: 6-8
All statistics current as of December 31 and courtesy of Basketball-Reference.com unless otherwise noted. Follow Stephen on Twitter: @S_Albertini
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