NBA insider makes bold prediction about Magic that fans will love | Sporting News

After going 34-48 just two years ago, the Orlando Magic took a massive leap last season, clinching the fifth seed with a 47-35 record.

The Magic were one of the best defensive teams in the NBA last season, holding their opponents to 107.4 points per game and boasting a defensive rating of 110.8, both top-three in the league.

They took the Cleveland Cavaliers to seven games before losing in the first round, although the consensus is that Orlando is on the verge of greatness.

Orlando had a fairly quiet offseason, replacing Markelle Fultz with two-time champion and veteran leader Kentavious Caldwell-Pope.

They extended Franz Wagner and Jonathan Isaac, signed Mac McClung to a two-way deal, and have built an excellent, hard-nosed mentality under head coach Jamahl Mosley -- and of course, Paolo Banchero.

In a recent article , the Magic were named as favorites to make the Eastern Conference Finals.

"Were going back to the Land of the Mouse!" The Athletic's David Aldridge wrote Tuesday.

"Im all in on the KCP Effect, Orlando!" Aldridge did pump the breaks a little bit and admitted that the Magic would not stand a chance against the juggernaut Boston Celtics.

However, it's hard not to get on Orlando's hype train.

They had an elite defense last season and offensive improvements from Jalen Suggs, Wagner, Banchero, and the addition of Caldwell-Pope should be able to get them into the playoffs, where their gritty playstyle makes anything possible.

More NBA: Pelicans' Dejounte Murray burns former teams with recent comments.

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