PHILADELPHIA — The growth of a young, rebuilding team often is measured by how it performs against top-flight opponents. That explains why the Orlando Magic derived so much confidence from their victory Friday night over the previously undefeated Toronto Raptors. For sure, it was a big win.
But there is an additional way to evaluate progress: how a team performs against NBA cellar-dwellers. Last year the Magic encountered problems against also-rans like the Philadelphia 76ers, New York Knicks and Los Angeles Lakers. To move up the standings, you need to beat the dregs of the league regularly.