The Orlando Magic had their breakout season last year, going 42-40 and getting into the playoffs as the seventh seed. It was a small accomplishment but one necessary for the team’s growth to be something bigger.
Just getting into the playoffs was an important step forward for members of the team. They got exposure to meaningful basketball and the pressure that comes with late-season games. And they succeeded in them.
Then they got exposure to the playoffs, and that was a whole different ball game.
The Orlando Magic’s run-in with the eventual NBA champion Toronto Raptors went as expected.