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Coming off a 2-6 preseason, the Orlando Magic start regular season play this week with a tough back-to-back on the road followed by two home games, and will likely be underdogs in all four games.
Here is the schedule for opening week for the Magic:
Tuesday, October 29th: Magic at Indiana Pacers, 7 PM Eastern, Fox Sports Florida
The Pacers, who were 3-5 this preseason, figure to battle the Chicago Bulls and Brooklyn Nets to try and dethrone the Miami Heat as Eastern Conference champions this season. Wing Paul George is an emerging star, Roy Hibbert is one of the top centers in the East, while the rest of their starting five is solid. The Pacers also have a healthy Danny Granger this season--though he will miss the season's first three weeks--and added power forward Luis Scola and point guard C.J. Watson to fortify their bench.
Wednesday, October 30th: Magic at Minnesota Timberwolves, 8 PM Eastern, Fox Sports Florida
The Timberwolves, 4-3 in the preseason, were really hurt by injuries last season, but have their two best players, point guard Ricky Rubio and power forward Kevin Love, back healthy. The T-Wolves, who added guard Kevin Martin during the off-season and drafted shooting guard Shabazz Muhammad, figure to challenge for a playoff spot in the Western Conference.
Friday, November 1st: New Orleans Pelicans at Magic, 7 PM Eastern, Fox Sports Florida
The newly-christened Pelicans, who finished 7-1 this preseason, also figure to challenge for a playoff spot in the Western Conference. Efficient power forward Ryan Anderson returns to face his former team, while big man Anthony Davis looks to build on a solid rookie season. The Pelicans added guards Jrue Holiday and Tyreke Evans for depth.
Sunday, November 3rd: Brooklyn Nets at Magic, 6 PM Eastern, Fox Sports Florida
After a disappointing first-round playoff exit against Chicago last season, the Nets, who finished 5-2 in the preseason, made perhaps the biggest trade during the off-season, acquiring aging forwards Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett, along with guard Jason Terry, from the Boston Celtics. Guards Deron Williams and Joe Johnson, center Brook Lopez, along with Garnett and Pierce, give the Nets a potent starting lineup.