Orlando Magic

Team Pulse

What Sean Sweeney's Hire Means for the Magic's Roster Decisions

Sean Sweeney's expected Magic hire is not a magic wand. It is a cleaner accountability line for Orlando's young roster and its next set of role decisions.

Team Pulse

What Jamahl Mosley Changes for the Pelicans Starts With the Roster Standard

Jamahl Mosley gives the Pelicans a cleaner roster standard, not an instant contender label. The next question is which pieces survive it.

Explainer

Orlando's Next Coach Has To Fix The Shape Around Banchero

The Magic's coaching search should be judged by the floor it creates: cleaner Banchero catches, earlier Wagner lanes, real Desmond Bane gravity, and a Jalen Suggs role that keeps pressure without shrinking the half court.

Team Pulse

Jalen Duren's 67 Seconds Changed the Pistons-Cavs Paint Math

The Game 1 double-double matters, but the series clue is simpler: do Duren's dives, putbacks, dunks and back-line blocks force Cleveland to protect the rim before Detroit even needs a second action?

Debate

After 23 Empty Trips, the Magic’s Pressure Moved Upstairs

Jamahl Mosley can be blamed for Orlando’s three straight first-round exits, but Jeff Weltman’s extension makes the next coach hire a test of the roster plan too.

Debate

Cade Controlled Game 7. Jarrett Allen Owns the Next Lane.

Detroit’s comeback makes the Pistons a real second-round problem, but the next question is whether Cade Cunningham’s control survives Cleveland’s size, rebounding, and possession pressure.

Team Pulse

Orlando Needs Paint Touches Before the Next Drought

After blowing a 24-point lead, Orlando's Game 7 question is whether the Magic can create early paint pressure, keep dry spells from snowballing, and keep Cade Cunningham from owning the fourth again.

Team Pulse

Cade, Paolo and the First Clean Look in Game 6

Cade Cunningham and Paolo Banchero both scored 45 in Game 5, but Game 6 is about which star gets cleaner late possessions: Cade with a live-dribble advantage, Paolo with space before contact, or neither offense escaping the mud.

Team Pulse

If Franz Wagner Can't Move, Orlando's Margin Moves With Him

Franz Wagner’s calf strain does not make Orlando helpless against Detroit, but it changes the Game 5 watch: movement, turnovers, Paolo Banchero’s shot quality, and whether the Pistons can turn pressure into points.

Team Pulse

Detroit's No. 1 Seed Test Is Possession Control, Not Another Rescue Run

Detroit's clearest Game 4 watch is whether a 60-win No. 1 seed can control the middle of the game before Orlando forces another late Cade Cunningham bailout attempt.

Team Pulse

Orlando's Game 3 Answer Was More Than Bane Getting Hot

Orlando's Game 3 edge is worth watching through one chain: Detroit mistakes becoming Magic pace, rhythm and clean threes.

Explainer

Adem Bona’s Lesson Is the Sixers’ Center Problem

Adem Bona’s Game 3 foul trouble captures the Sixers’ Embiid-less center problem: Philadelphia needs Bona and Andre Drummond to play, but the margin for mistakes is thin.