With the 2019-2020 NBA Season almost underway 9450 got the opportunity to check out some preseason action with the Magic's home preseason games against the Boston Celtics, Philadelphia 76ers, and Miami Heat.
The Celtics game was exciting for a couple of reasons, first hometown fan favorite Tacko Fall was making his first NBA appearance in Orlando after graduating from the University of Central Florida this past summer. Second, the Magic were 3-0 coming into their first home preseason game. Unfortunately it wasn't a good outing for the Blue Men as by the middle of the 1st Quarter the Celtics were up 33-6. The rest of the game was more of the same with an eerily quiet arena except for the occasional "PUT TACKO IN!" chants from the crowd.
Up against the Sixers, the storyline of former Philly players Markelle Fultz and Michael Carter-Williams going up against their cold team was the main headline. Ben Simmons, Joel Embiid and co. dominated this game from early on leaving little the Magic could do except for taking the L.
Finally the last game of the Magic’s preseason outing was against the Miami Heat. As exciting as It was to see Jimmy Butler in a Heat jersey and Derrick Jones Jr. jamming down dunks, and rookie Tyler Herro coming into his own as a NBA player, the Magic struggled most of the game and lost 107-94. Overall it seemed like their offense was just not there, though it’s hard to say as preseason competition isn’t the same as the regular season. The Magic have their season opener game against the Cleveland Cavaliers on October 23rd. Hopefully they start off with a bang!