Toronto Raptors: Eastern Conference playoff predicitons

6. Orlando Magic

The first victim of the Toronto Raptors fateful championship run, the Orlando Magic almost spoiled the party – though not quite. The Magic stuck the knife further into the Toronto Raptors Game 1 woes but were never able to offer much more in the series.

This offseason, they paid Nikola Vucevic the money he deserves, but the Magic were probably the only team willing to offer him that much in the first place. They also signed veteran forward Al-Farouq Aminu and picked up contract options on Markelle Fultz, Mo Bamba, and Jonathan Isaac.

Defense was the name of the game last year in Orlando, and this season will only look to build on that. The Magic were a top-10 defensive team in the NBA last season, but the offense could never live up to the billing. That will need to improve this season.

How Markelle Fultz will fair is one of the most compelling storylines this season, his jump shot has been critically dissected by more fans, analysts, and scientists than just about anyone else in the last 10 years, so seeing him back on the court is must-watch television.

The Magic, with all of the length available on their roster, will be in the playoff hunt once again, and might even come up against the Toronto Raptors in the first round.