Why Orlando Magic Will Make Playoffs

After missing the play-in by a handful of games this past season, the Orlando Magic look to get back on track and prove the doubters wrong.

The Orlando Magic last made the playoffs back in 2020 in the bubble. But this season could be the year that the team makes its return to the postseason.

Despite getting off to a very slow 5-20 start this past season, the Magic still finished 34-48 and had the 13th seed in the Eastern Conference. This is actually one more win than the team finished with back when it clinched the eight seed and made the playoffs back in 2020. But the Eastern Conference has gotten stronger as a whole the past few seasons, so it will take more than that to make it to the postseason.

Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero muscling his way past Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young / Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports

Bleacher Report believes the Magic could make the playoffs this season with Paolo Banchero leading the way in just his second NBA season.

"After averaging an even 20.0 points and winning Rookie of the Year, Paolo Banchero enters his second season as one of the game's more intriguing potential point forwards," Bleacher Report writes. "He's more than a scorer, and his ability to create for and find others takes some burden off the team's guards and makes the attack less predictable."

Banchero could very well prove to be one of the league's best by the end of the year, and he could be the key to the Magic's improvement. He and the rest of the Magic look to keep their undefeated record in the preseason as they face off against the New Orleans Pelicans on Tuesday. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Amway Center.