Coach Steve Clifford typically does not like to look too far ahead. Any perception of a difficult stretch of the schedule or needing to bank up wins or count on wins in “easy” stretches go against his coach speak. Every opponent deserves his and his team’s full attention. And they cannot think too far ahead.
That was and remains a necessary approach for the Orlando Magic. Their margin for error remains small without a clear-cut All-Star or a potent offense, on paper at least. This is still a team that will have to fight and claw for everything.