Can the Orlando Magic turn their season around with a favorable schedule ahead? With the third-easiest remaining schedule in the NBA, the Orlando Magic are poised for a potential playoff push. Star players like Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner are back in action, and Goga Bitadze's return has already made an impact.

The Magic are still working their players back into the rotation while stacking wins. But this period is the most important part of the season with 10 of 11 games at the Kia Center after this five-game road trip. Now is the time for the Magic to make their move and climb the standings.

0:00 Intro

5:37 Magic's playoff race position

11:51 Magic's favorable upcoming schedule

17:57 February: Most crucial month

24:37 Goga Bitadze's impact on return

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The Orlando Magic have clear needs they need to address. And they are ready to make some immediate upgrades to improve their offense. The question is who do they target and when do they make the deal?

That leaves the other question the Magic have to answer: What are the Magic willing to give up?

With a week to go before the trade deadline, the Magic have to answer a big question about themselves and make their move.

0:00 Intro

3:10 De'Aaron Fox's potential fit with Magic

8:48 Magic's trade targets and strategy

15:54 Magic's trade assets and considerations

22:35 Timing of potential trades

29:14 Magic's need for offensive improvement

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This episode of the Lockdown NBA Squad Show East features a panel of NBA podcast hosts discussing recent developments in the Eastern Conference. The conversation covers the Cleveland Cavaliers' defensive struggles, highlighting the impact of injuries to players like Caris LeVert, Isaac Okoro, and Evan Mobley. The Detroit Pistons' surprising success is attributed to Cade Cunningham's stellar play and improved team defense, particularly with Ausar Thompson in the lineup.

The panel debates the Orlando Magic's offensive woes, noting their league-worst three-point shooting percentage and discussing potential trade options to improve their offense without sacrificing their defensive identity. Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner are mentioned as key players for the Magic's future.

The hosts also explore the Philadelphia 76ers' situation, debating whether the team should continue competing or consider rebuilding, given Joel Embiid's injury history and the team's struggles this season.

0:00 Intro and discussion of Cavs' recent struggles

5:06 Pistons' surprising success: Cade Cunningham's impact and defensive improvements

11:10 FanDuel odds for Eastern Conference: Celtics favored, Bucks undervalued

16:47 Magic's offensive struggles: Worst effective field goal percentage in NBA

22:04 76ers' dilemma: To tank or not to tank

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The Orlando Magic are feeling more whole with Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner back and now Goga Bitadze back in the lineup. But after prolonged absences, they are all still working their way back into playing shape and regaining chemistry with their roster. That will take time. And coach Jamahl Mosley said there would be hiccups.

The Magic showed signs of the team they will be in building a 14-point lead in the fourth quarter. They also showed they still have roadblocks to push through. The Magic looked tired at the end of the game as the Heat stormed back to force overtime and then double overtime in a 125-119 Magic loss.

The Magic are still putting the pieces together even with their players returning from injury.

0:00 Intro

5:43 Magic's offensive struggles

16:38 Role players stepping up

22:46 Analyzing the loss

29:22 Upcoming challenges

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The Orlando Magic's stars in Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner stepped up to lead the Magic to a win over the Detroit Pistons. They took over the game. That is what stars do. And this season the Magic have proven to have two stars to build around.

Now they have to do the most important trick: They have to do it again.

0:00 Intro

5:07 Trade deadline: Return of injured players crucial

16:26 Magic's need to stack consecutive wins

21:36 Exploring the Magic's biggest rivals

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Super Bowl 59 is here, And there’s no better way to make every play more exciting than with FanDuel Sportsbook. New customers can bet just FIVE DOLLARS, and if you win, you’ll score TWO HUNDRED BUCKS in Bonus Bets. Download the app or head to FANDUEL.COM to get started. Bet with FanDuel—Official Partner of Super Bowl Fifty-Nine.

FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)

The Orlando Magic were trying to break a five-game losing streak even with their top players still returning from injury. But to get back on track, they needed Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner to take control and even ignore those injury restrictions.

Franz Wagner scored 25 points in the fourth quarter to ensure the Magic came back to win.

0:00 Intro

5:09 Franz Wagner's record-breaking quarter

15:48 Jalen Suggs' impactful return

21:56 Magic's offensive turnaround

27:32 Wendell Carter's crucial contribution

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Super Bowl 59 is here, And there’s no better way to make every play more exciting than with FanDuel Sportsbook. New customers can bet just FIVE DOLLARS, and if you win, you’ll score TWO HUNDRED BUCKS in Bonus Bets. Download the app or head to FANDUEL.COM to get started. Bet with FanDuel—Official Partner of Super Bowl Fifty-Nine.

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The Orlando Magic's offensive woes remained despite the return of Franz Wagner to the lineup. The Magic's issues seem to go beyond missing their two star players. There is a crisis of confidence and trust that is holding the team back. Their misses have made them expect to miss. That is how the team loses 101-79 to one of the worst defenses in the league. How will the Magic find their way out of this five-game losing streak?

0:00 Intro

5:22 Magic's offensive struggles deepen

11:34 Only way out is together

18:13 Breakthrough game needed

29:32 Paolo Banchero's worst game

34:37 Wendell Carter's ongoing issues

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The trade deadline is two weeks away and the Orlando Magic face crucial decisions that could reshape their future. The team has slipped in the standings. But the prospect of Paolo Banchero getting back into form and Franz Wagner's imminent return has them unsure where they actually stand.

Still, the Magic need to make improvements that will help them compete in the short term and prepare them for a future that should include title aspirations.

Keith Smith from Spotrac joins the shot to analyze the Magic's current position and explore trade targets like Cam Johnson and Collin Sexton. They debate the balance between short-term gains and long-term planning, emphasizing the need for improved shooting and offensive production. The conversation also touches on the implications of potential trades involving players like Anthony Simons and Malcolm Brogdon.

0:00 Intro

3:35 Magic's position at trade deadline

10:22 Short-term goals vs. long-term planning

19:20 Importance of fit in potential trades

27:09 Cam Johnson as potential trade target

50:20 Collin Sexton as top trade target

56:21 Balancing offense and defense in trades

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From the first whistle to the final drive, FanDuel makes the NFL Playoffs even more exciting! Right now, new customers can bet FIVE DOLLARS and get THREE HUNDRED BUCKS in BONUS BETS – if you win your first bet! Visit FANDUEL.COM to get started. Make this playoff season unforgettable with FanDuel, an official sportsbook partner of the NFL.

FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)