29-year old small forward Matt Barnes has really been playing great ball lately. In his last five games, Barnes is averaging 34.6 minutes, 12.4 points, 8.6 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1.4 steals per game. They need him to keep up the good work as the Magic’s depth is one of the main strengths of the team. He has now played in 43 games (20 starts) this season for the Magic and he is averaging 24.7 minutes, 8.8 points, 5.8 rebounds and 1.7 assists per game.

The Magic really need Jameer Nelson to pick it up. He has played in 24 games (23 starts) for the Magic so far this season and he is averaging 28.2 minutes, 11.8 points, 2.7 rebounds and 4.8 assists per game. The Magic need Nelson to get his shot back because it helps make the opposing teams start to extend the defense opening up the paint for the Magic’s talented front-line.

25-year old shooting guard J.J. Redick is playing the best basketball of his NBA career right now for the Magic. He has played in 37 games (7 starts) for the Magic this season and he is averaging 22.9 minutes, 9.7 points, 1.8 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game. Redick is also shooting 42.9% from three point range this season as he is really playing well. With Vince Carter banged up right now the Magic will need Redick to provide them with more quality minutes until he gets back.

Back-up center Marcin Gortat was excellent in the playoffs last season and he figured he would cash in and get a starting job at the same time last summer as a restricted free agent. The Mavericks offered him a very nice contract with the idea of making him their starting center but the Magic matched it surprisingly and he was not happy then. He really must be fuming now because of his lack of playing time this year. Gortat has played in 32 games (0 starts) for the Magic this season and he is averaging 13.2 minutes, 3.3 points, 3.6 rebounds and 0.1 assists per game. The Magic might be interested in trading him at the deadline if they have any needs to fill but the team doesn’t appear to have many weaknesses right now. That means Gortat might have to grin and bear it the rest of the year.