By Preston Ellis

The Orlando Magic (7-8) are steadily becoming a team to be feared in the Eastern Conference. Backed by Steve Clifford’s “No Moral Victories” proclamation, the expectations in the Magic City have been turned upside down.

At a 92-76 disadvantage with 10:51 to play in Jimmy Butler’s debut as the Sixers newly acquired weapon, the Magic looked all but ready to roll over once more to the team who originally inspired the catchphrase just three weeks earlier.

“So whatever, we played better,” head coach Steve Clifford said. “But that’s not what this league is about. That’s a game right there that was there to be won. There were plays to be made and you’ve got to make them.’’

The Magic tied together a desperate 17-6 run to surprise the 76ers on their home floor on October 20th. A career night from JJ Redick was all that stood between the Magic and a shocking come from behind victory that ultimately fell short as Aaron Gordon missed the game-tying free throw, and Terrence Ross’ three-point attempt at the buzzer fell woefully short.

But the narrative would be different this time. A 21-0 run behind a team effort in scoring and defensive prowess got the Magic a 97-92 lead, and the Amway began to come apart as Jonathan Isaac did this:

JONATHAN ISAAC & TERRENCE ROSS, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN! ???? pic.twitter.com/YBhV8HE0d4

— Orlando Magic (@OrlandoMagic) November 15, 2018

The most magical place on earth is known for that nightly firework display, and Wednesday night would be no different. But it wasn’t a mouse lighting the sky ablaze, it was a Ross.

Ross did Ross things again, with eight fourth-quarter points en route to his 15/7 night on 6 of 9 from the field. While Aaron Gordon and Nikola Vucevic have been the steady hands during the Magic’s 7-8 start with victories over the Heat, Celtics, Spurs and 76ers, it’s been Ross with the timely shots.

“He’s been shooting great, big, big shots,” Jonathan Isaac said. “When you’ve got a guy going like that, it gives you so much offensively. Being able to shoot the ball, cut, get to the rim. It gives our second unit a huge boost and not only that, he’s been great defensively. HE’s been great for us, and hopefully, he can keep it up.”

Ross is enjoying his best season from beyond the stripe after missing 58 games last season due to an MCL sprain and non-displaced fracture in his right leg. Shooting 39 percent from three, Ross heats up when it matters most, shooting 45% in the final three minutes to close quarters.

“He’s a shot maker, and even when he doesn’t make, he creates space on the floor for everyone else, “head coach Steve Clifford continued. “He had seven defensive rebounds. He’s been very physical in his positioning all season long.”

Speaking of career seasons, Nikola Vucevic is quietly getting it done on both ends, holding Joel Embiid to 2 of 13 from two-point range, and tying or expanding his season averages in nearly every category (19/11/3.5). It was Vucevic’s 30 points and eight rebounds that paced the Magic, taking advantage of matchups against Mike Muscala and Wilson Chandler at every turn.

“We saw they were putting Muscala and Chandler on Vuc and he was converting every time.” – Aaron Gordon

These Magic are showing a resiliency that has been lost in previous campaigns. Health plays a factor, an expanded bench led by Mo Bamba plays a factor, the improving play of Aaron Gordon does as well, but at the end of the day, it’s the internal expectation Clifford has embedded that is paying dividends early.

“I want us as a team to grow to the place where we expect to beat the best teams in this league, because we will be one of the best teams in this league when we put it together. Tonight is an example of what can take place this entire season.” – Jonathan Isaac

As we preached in recent weeks, Magic fans should continue to practice patience as the Magic face their most difficult stretch of the season, starting with Lebron James and the Los Angeles Lakers. Six of the Magic’s next seven matchups come against teams with seven wins or more, including the Warriors, Blazers, and Nuggets.

“Got to stay even-keeled. Can’t get too high, can’t get too low. Stereotypical line, but we gotta come hungry, ready to work.” – Aaron Gordon

For more on the Magic, please check out our podcast where we will review Wednesday’s raucous victory with the team at “Do You Believe in Magic!”

Listen to “The Magic Are Beginning to Form an Identity” on Spreaker.