After opening their season on Halloween night, watching the Orlando Magic has been anything but scary during the first week of play. With victories against Milwaukee, Washington and Minnesota and only one loss to Detroit, the Magic’s 3-1 record puts them at the top of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference, just ahead of Charlotte.

Some of the highlights over the first four games have been Rashard Lewis’ performance from the 3pt arc (14 of 23, 2nd in the NBA in made 3pt FG), Dwight Howard’s rebounding (14 RPG, T-4th in the NBA) and Carlos Arroyo’s performance (18 pts, 6 assts) in place of injured Jameer Nelson on Tuesday night. From what I’ve seen of the team on television, the Magic look like a very confident team and should provide for some great entertainment as they work the inside-out game with Howard and Lewis.

Week two of the season starts tonight, with a chilly game up in Toronto. In fact, six of the Magic’s next nine games (and eleven of the next sixteen) are on the road. If the guys in blue can play well early this season, they should be able to take advantage of a schedule that has them playing many more home games at the end of the season.

I’m guessing we’ll easily make the playoffs this year, and this late-season stretch could ensure we get home-court advantage through the early rounds, at least.

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