Coming out of the All-Star Break before the Orlando Magic’s game against the Chicago Bulls, it was clear players conceptually knew what they were about to enter. This was a 23-game sprint to the finish in a tight Playoff race where they still had ground to make up.
Players said as they entered that first game after the All-Star Break that every game had to be played with Playoff intensity. Opponents — whether they were in the Playoff hunt or not — would be playing their sharpest. And the games would demand full attention and execution.