Nearly a week ago, the Orlando Magic returned home after going 1-3 on a West Coast road trip feeling good about how they played.
For Magic coach Steve Clifford, the four-game stretch — even though it brought more bouts with adversity — served as measuring stick for the team’s recent progress. Orlando won in Sacramento and played Portland and Golden State close in what ended up being nine- and six-point losses with short-handed rosters. In each game, the Magic lost players to injuries, and they closed the trip in Phoenix with just eight healthy players.
“One week ago today, we flew in here at 5:30 a.