Magic practice on game court

When you post the third-worst home record in the NBA, you’ll do whatever it takes to generate a homecourt advantage.

In the Orlando Magic’s case, that means holding training-camp practices in an unprecedented place.

The team held its two workouts Tuesday on Amway Center’s main floor instead of on the arena’s practice court.

Coach came up with the idea. His old Indiana Pacers teams occasionally practiced on Bankers Life Fieldhouse’s main court instead of on the Fieldhouse’s practice court.

“I just think that our guys [in Orlando] have done it in the practice gym for the last few years, and we haven’t had a whole lot of winning success here,” Vogel said after the Magic’s early workout Tuesday. “A change of environment sometimes can just help things feel a little bit differently.”

The Magic posted a 16-25 record in Orlando last season. Only the Brooklyn Nets (13-28) and Phoenix Suns (15-26) won fewer games at home.

Using Amway Center’s main court required an adjustment. In addition to the regular court used for games, workers laid down an additional half of a basketball court on the south end of the floor, at the base of Section 101. Four additional goals also were brought in.

“It’s a good setup,” center said. “It’s nice for training camp to have something different. Some teams go to different places. We’re just practicing in here. I think they did a good job of giving us something different. I liked it and it’s definitely warmer than the practice gym. So that’s not bad.”

The Magic did extensive 5-on-5 work and conditioning drills during their early practice Tuesday.

During the non-contact evening practice, the coaches installed some of their basic halfcourt sets to provide some offensive structure early in camp, Vogel said. The team also did a lot of shooting, worked on offensive togetherness in passing drills and defensive togetherness by emphasizing communication.

As a precaution, swingman

did not participate in the evening practice because he has a sore groin, Vogel said. Thirdyear player

sat out the evening practice to prevent overworking a knee that was sore throughout much of last season and part of this summer. Swingman

Orlando’s highest-profile freeagent acquisition this past offseason, made his Magic practice debut Tuesday. “It felt good,” Simmons said. “It’s a learning process. It’s going to take time. But I feel good about today.” Lakeland Magic coach

is attending the Orlando Magic’s practices this week.

The Magic are scheduled to practice once today, twice on Thursday and once on Friday.