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NBA Predictions: 2014 Orlando Magic Season Betting Preview

Magic NBA Picks

The Orlando Magic are still recovering from the departure of Dwight Howard, but they’ve done an excellent job of procuring young talent throughout the process. Their 13th-place finish out East last year doesn’t do justice for the talent on this roster, and while a shot at the playoffs is still questionable, we should start to see improvement during the 2014-15 NBA season.

2014-15 Orlando Magic
Eastern Conference
2013-14 Record: 23-59 (19-22 @ Home) .280
Odds to win Title: 200 to 1
Odds to win Conference: 100/1
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Cappers Picks provides free NBA HOOPS handicapping tips all season long.

Magic Key Losses

Jameer Nelson – Jameer Nelson has been synonymous with Orlando Magic basketball since he entered the Association, but he’s now a member of the Dallas Mavericks, symbolizing a new era in Orlando.

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Arron Afflalo – Arron Afflalo averaged a career-high 18.2 points last season while shooting a remarkable 42.7 percent from the three-point line. But once again, the team felt it has gone as far as it could go with Afflalo leading the way, so his departure is symbolic of a new era.

Magic Top Newcomers

Aaron Gordon – The Magic chose to skip on highly touted Australian prospect Dante Exum in the draft, instead going with Arizona forward Aaron Gordon. Gordon has earned early comparisons to Blake Griffin because of his extreme athleticism. If he can be even half of what Griffin is today, it’ll prove to be the right pick for the Magic.

Elfrid Payton – Also in the top 10 of the draft was Elfrid Payton, who will have a chance at starting at point guard this year for Orlando. With him on board, the team can move Victor Oladipo back to the 2, creating one of the youngest backcourts in the NBA.

Channing Frye – The Magic had free-agent money to spend this summer, and they used it on Channing Frye. Frye is coming off a career year with the Phoenix Suns, and his outside shooting will certainly be an asset.

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Luke Ridnour – In all likelihood, Luke Ridnour won’t be a major contributor on the court this season. Where he will contribute is in the locker room, as any veteran presence at all will help mold the young point guards looking to establish themselves early in their professional careers.

Magic Top Players

Tobias Harris – Simply put: More than half the roster could count as a top player at this point. There are plenty of prospects who could explode, but Tobias Harris is one who has gotten fans excited after coming over in a trade for J.J. Redick.

Victor Oladipo – Victor Oladipo looked like a Rookie of the Year winner at times last season. If the Magic are developing him correctly, he should be an improved offensive player this season to complement his already menacing defense, and he could become the true leader of the new-look roster.

Nikola Vucevic – Nikola Vucevic is a double-double machine. He averaged 14.2 points and 11 rebounds per game last season, and as a 7-foot 23-year-old, the future looks bright.

Magic Strengths

Defense (?) – Although we haven’t quite seen it yet, this team has a chance to be a legitimately good defensive squad as soon as this season. Oladipo has a chance to become a top-tier perimeter defender and Aaron Gordon is a workhorse down on the block. It’s tough to find a true strength for a team that was so awful last year, but that’s why we’re projecting forward. Don’t be shocked if this group takes a step in the right direction on that end of the floor.

Magic Weaknesses

Three-Point Shooting – Orlando tied the Milwaukee Bucks and Memphis Grizzlies for 19th in three-point shooting percentage. It was also just 21st in terms of three-pointers made.

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The good news here is that players such as Channing Frye and Ben Gordon could help solve that problem. Unfortunately, the team has a long way to go before we consider it a true threat from downtown, and until that happens, defenses will continue to collapse the paint.

Magic 2014 Betting Prediction

With the Eastern Conference as wide open — and quite frankly weak — as it is, nobody should be surprised if the Magic are at least in the playoff discussion at some point this year. For that to happen, everything will have to be going right, but it’s not outside the realm of possibility that we’re at least discussing it based off early-season performances.

All that said, expect this team to be back in the lottery. This franchise is still a year or two away from being considered a tre threat to make the postseason, which is why 2014-15 will be about development for the young players who make up this roster.

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By PDX PIX

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