ORLANDO – An Orlando Magic defense that was dramatically re-tooled by new coach Scott Skiles and one that showed tremendous progress all throughout the preseason will be put to the test right away tonight in the regular-season opener at the Amway Center.
Skiles made defensive improvement a priority from the first day that he was hired back in late May, and the Magic responded in the preseason with some tangible gains. During a 6-2 preseason where the Magic won their last five games, they ranked fifth in the NBA in field goal percentage allowed, seventh in 3-point percentage allowed and 10th in total defensive efficiency.