<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">At least the fans should like this schedule. Orlando Magic Coach Brian Hill cringed when he saw the 21 sets of back-to-back games and the brutal month of January, but the opportunity to see NBA games at the TD Waterhouse Centre never has been better. Of the 41 regular season home games on the Magic schedule that was released Monday, a franchise-high 22 will be played on the weekends. And none of the Sunday games starts later than 6 p.m. "You learn to take the bad with the good," Hill said. "I don't know too many coaches who can't find something they don't like about their schedule. But we'll be fine." In an effort to win back a fan base that has eroded considerably since their glory days, the Magic asked for and received fewer of the mid-week home games that drew so poorly last season when they finished among the league's lower third in attendance. They also have increased the number of lower-priced tickets, providing 7,313 seats at $31 or less, including 2,100 under $15. There also are tickets as low as $38 now in the lower bowl. The Magic, who went from 21 victories in 2003-2004 to 36 victories last season, will go into the season expecting nothing less than a playoff appearance, which would mean another improvement of at least seven more wins. "We have to win games. That's what it comes down to," said Otis Smith, Magic assistant general manager. "We're going to be a better team, for a number of reasons. Dwight [Howard] will be better. Grant [Hill] and Steve [Francis] will have another year together. Our defense will be better. That guy [motioning at Brian Hill] makes us better." The schedule gives the Magic a good chance to succeed early and late. It's the in-between part of the schedule that has them worried. Of their first 27 games, 17 will be at home. Seven of their last 10 also are at home. The holiday season should be a breeze. They don't play any road games between Dec. 17 and Jan. 3.</div> Source
