Race for the Division: Next 10 Games Huge

[UCFJayBird]

With Orlando's win, and Washington's loss today, the Magic are up 3 games over the Wizards (but only 1 less loss).

With only 1 less loss, the Wizards are very much in the race with Orlando. The next 10 games, however, show that if things go the Magic's way they could have a large lead by the all-star break.

Washington's Next 10 Games:
Tor, @Tor, Utah, LAL, @Phi, SA, @Den, @Pho, @GS, @LAC
Analysis: 4 home games, 6 road games. 8 teams over .500, both under .500 are on the road. 3 sets of back-to-back (including the Toronto games).


Orlando's Next 10 Games:
Mia, @Phi, @Ind, Dal, NJ, LAL, Cle, Den, @Det, @Tor
Analysis: 6 home games, 4 road games. 6 teams over .500, only 2 of those teams are on the road. 2 sets of back-to-back (both sets on the road).

By the way, the Wizards play these 10 games in a week shorter time. The Wizards play ten games by Feb 13, but the Magic don't finish till Feb 20.

Predictions: Washington will go 5-5, the Magic 7-3.

(yes, i was bored)

[MagicFan3]

These next 10 games will essentially determine the division winner, as it will give whoever is on top the proper momentum.

Go Magic!

[Idunkonyou2]

I have said it all a long. It will be close through February, but the Magic will take complete command in March when they have 10 home games to only 4 away games.

[MagicNolesFSU]

good thread. This is going to be a fun battle down the stretch.

[EasternMagic]

6 or 7 of those should be garuntee wins, all ten of them we are capable of winning

[Shishnizzle]

good thread. This is going to be a fun battle down the stretch.

Yeh, I was thinking about doing it. The time is right for this thread, but I knew someone else would do it and I would'nt have as good a job.

The thing that I noticed about our up coming games, is that We have some tough home games coming up. I think the month after the all star break is significantly easier.

[SOUL]

6 or 7 of those should be garuntee wins, all ten of them we are capable of winning

Magic?

Guaranteed wins?

[Typhoon20]

Yeah, no way do we get guaranteed wins. Not the way we're playing. We can lose to Miami and win against the Celtics. Anything can happen.

I'm predicting a 5-5, I don't really see us winning 7.

[damo[23]]

Its odd how the Wizards were awful last year without 1 of their big 3 [be it Arenas, Butler or Jaimson] something like 5 and 26 [dont quote me though] yet this year they are as managing to find a pretty solid pace for the East race this year.

[drsd]

The Magic have finished their West Coast games. They Magic have less games to space out the year. The Magic have done will in division and in conference. The Magic lead their division by 3 games.

The Magic are clear favorites to win the South East, barring injury.

[Gerhalt11]

The Wiz have really been impressing me. Caron and Antawn are both All-Star caliber players. Just goes to show how important defense is, of which Gilbert plays, hmm...none. Most of their fans I've talked to up here won't be sorry to see him go. Can't wait 'til the Magic come back to DC in March. Already have my ticket. They're undefeated at the Verizon Center when I'm in the house.

[happypedro12]

With only 1 less loss, the Wizards are very much in the race with Orlando. The next 10 games, however, show that if things go the Magic's way they could have a large lead by the all-star break.

But haven't we played about 4 or 5 more games than them? It will be close either way, but as long as we beat each of our division rivals once a piece (plus .500 for everyone else), we should be good

[Optimus_Steel]

There are no gurantees when it comes to the Orlando Magic.

[drsd]

There are no gurantees when it comes to the Orlando Magic.

This is true. Let's for one look at what an injury would do, position by position.

PG: Nelson. The Magic get Arroyo to start for the rest of the season.
SG: Evans. The Magic go back to Bogans or Dooling.
SF: Turkoglu. Bogans would have to start, or Foyle would start sliding Lewis here.
PF: Lewis. (besides groans of Lewis being player Hill) Foyle would have to start.

Any of the above leads to the Magic being a much slower and less efficient team.

But the scary one.
C: Howard. Foyle would start.
Now what? The Magic have no interior defense and no rebounding.


Injuries to PG, SF, PF, and C would be devastating for the Magic. And an injury at SG will result in more total losses.

Now here's the truly scary thought. What happens if the Magic get slowed by two injuries? Can you say "The Orlando Heat?" Or is it "The Orlando Timberwolves?" Well neither is correct. It's actually "The Orlando Clippers." (Only imagine if Brand and Livingston wee 100%).

[lovehoops01]

Why are you always looking for injuries? You trying to jinx them? Put that thought out of your head and leave it out.

The fact that the Wizards have played 5 less games than the Magic actually could help them because they only have actually lost one more game than the Magic. What if they win all those games? The bad thing for the Wizards is they haven't taken one trip West yet. (Hawks and Bobcats are on their first trip now.) But the way Caron Butler is playing....well, he just doesn't want to lose, and I doubt he really cares where he is playing. And there still is a possibility the Wizards could get back a healthy and rested Gilbert Arenas by March or so, too.

I don't like to look that far forward anyway. Magic just need to get as many wins as they can and not pay attention to the standings. If they finish with a lot of wins, all the better.

[drsd]

Magic just need to get as many wins as they can and not pay attention to the standings.

Words of wisdom!

[Magicalltheway]

wow, 6 or 7 wins. You guys are way too optimistic for me, How do we have an automatic win over Dal, LaL, Den, Tor, Det and Cle.

5-5 will be the best outcome for me. Realistically I was thinking 4-6.

but....