ORLANDO, FL - NOVEMBER 18: The Orlando Magic celebrate during the game against the New York Knicks on November 18, 2018 at Amway Center in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images)

ORLANDO, FL - NOVEMBER 18: The Orlando Magic celebrate during the game against the New York Knicks on November 18, 2018 at Amway Center in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images)

Orlando Magic

Orlando Magic: 3 reasons they’re above .500

by Luke Duffy Follow @LucaLockheart
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(Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images)

The Orlando Magic are above .500 and playing like a team that can stay above that threshold for some time. Here are three reasons they’ve started so well.

Coming into the 2018-19 season, most fans would have taken your hand off if they had been offered the chance for their Orlando Magic to be above .500 after 17 games. As it has transpired, that is exactly what has happened, with Sunday night’s win over the New York Knicks putting them at 9-8.

There’s no doubt that this is a softer part of their schedule, and the tougher tests await. But in merely watching the Magic play, it is clear that they have a kind of resilience and toughness that we haven’t seen in a long time.

They are no longer an easy out, and have more balance to their roster on both ends of the court as well. It helps when guys like Terrence Ross and Evan Fournier are shooting the lights out, but they’ve been keeping other teams quiet on the defensive end too.

While these positive feelings are sure to be tested as the season progresses, it is also clear that the worst part of their prolonged rebuild is over. They may ultimately fall short of making the playoffs, but the fact they are in contention even at this early stage is promising.

The following are the three main contributing factors that have them above .500 right now and feeling good about themselves. Even better, each one of these three reasons doesn’t look to be going anywhere either, which is great news for the Magic and their fans.

Next: No. 3

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