Orlando Magic schedule 2013: Games against Dwight Howard, Bucks highlight year

Dec. 31 vs. Warriors -- The Magic only had winning records against three teams last season. Two of those teams were the Phoenix Suns and Philadelphia 76ers, the squads expected to be in the NBA’s cellar this year. The other? The Golden State Warriors, who lost both of their games against Orlando. For whatever reason -- matchups or luck -- there might be reason to pay attention to this one on New Year’s Eve.

Feb. 5 vs. Pistons -- It’s Orlando’s only nationally televised game of the year. The Magic will face an Eastern Conference foe hoping that coupling its young big men with a few free agent pickups will put it back into the competitive playoff picture. Orlando would only hope to be a year or so behind in a similar process.

Any game against the Suns or 76ers -- If the Magic want to stay away from the cellar, they should beat the Suns and Sixers. Then again, if they want to stay in the tanking competition, losing to either team might help them get there. The Magic play Phoenix on Nov. 24 and March 19, and they face Philadelphia Nov. 27, Dec. 3, Feb. 26 and March 2.

In mid-November, Orlando begins a tough month of basketball that includes a back-to-back set against the Miami Heat and games against San Antonio, New York, Houston and Memphis. There are, however, winnable games against Phoenix and Philadelphia in that tough 11-game stretch.

The Magic also play the Pistons, Thunder, Grizzlies and the Pacers twice in a five-game stretch from Feb. 3 through Feb. 12.

Ten games from Jan. 17 through Feb. 2 should provide the young Magic a chance to grow their confidence. Orlando plays a series of non-elite-level teams such as Boston, Charlotte, Toronto and New Orleans. There are also games against teams that project as lower-tier playoff squads like the Lakers, Hawks and Pistons. Aside from a game against the Brooklyn Nets, it should be a reasonable few weeks.

And from March 19 through April 5, the Magic have another easier stretch with games against Phoenix, Utah, Charlotte and Cleveland. Orlando’s tougher games during that span come against the Lakers, Raptors, Timberwolves and Trail Blazers.

Back-to-backs: 18

Season opener: Oct. 29 at Indiana

Home opener: Nov. 1 vs. Pelicans

Longest road trip: Six games (Dec. 2-11)

Longest homestand: Six games (Dec. 18-31)