Defending home court is often something Jamahl Mosley talks about with his team.
The Magic succeeded a year ago, with 29 wins coming at Kia Center in front of raucous crowds. The Magic finished with one of the best home records league-wide, which propelled into the No. 5 spot in the East.
But to capture home-court advantage in the conference as a top four seed, they’ll have to find more ways to win on the road this season. Orlando was one of the two teams in the top six in the East with a sub-.500 road record (18-23).
In losing a seven-game, first-round playoff series to No. 4 seed Cleveland, the Magic went 0-4 on the road, including 33.7% shooting in the decisive Game 7.
“Every NBA team should want that,” Mosley said with a laugh when asked Tuesday after practice about playing better away from home. “Being able to win on the road is always important.
“We understand how our home record was last year and we understand how our fans get behind us. They’re always fantastic,” he added. “Obviously being on the road, it’s you against everybody there.”
The Magic will get their first crack at winning on the road Wednesday night when their season opens against Miami at Kaseya Center.
“Being on the road to start the season is a great opportunity for these guys to continue to come together,” Mosley said. “The things that we’ve talked about from the beginning of the summer to now — their line of communication, their ability to pull for another and going into a different environment — that’s great for us to continue to grow and build.”
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Orlando feels confident its properly prepared to open 2024-25 following an offseason in which the team re-signed key players (Moe Wagner, Gary Harris, Goga Bitadze, and Trevelin Queen) and extended the contract of others (Franz Wagner, Wendell Carter Jr. Jonathan Isaac and Jalen Suggs).
Only two-time NBA champion Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, veteran guard Cory Joseph and rookie Tristan da Silva are new to the team.
“With more years of playing together, we’re further ahead than the last couple of years,” Franz Wagner said. “But it’s our first game. Obviously it’s a new season, and I’m sure everybody’s going to be extra excited. I’m excited to get going.”
Orlando and Miami had fierce battles last season. Although the Heat went 3-1, two contests were decided by single-digits and all four were physical tests.
The Heat’s core, too, looks much the same as it did a season ago. Five-time All-NBA wing Jimmy Butler, sharpshooter Tyler Herro and 5-time All-Defensive big man Bam Adebayo remain.
Franz Wagner understands the challenge of playing away from Kia Center, and it’s something the team talked about throughout the preseason.
“It’s a game and we’ve got to go on the road,” he said. “I’ve talked about going into these road arenas with the right mindset, with the right belief that on any given night we [can] get a win.”
Added Mosley: “These guys have embraced that and they’re willing to embrace more of that this year to accomplish the things and the growth that we’re looking to have.”