Vogel: Don’t get complacent

The Orlando Magic are playing their best basketball since they opened their season with an 8-4 record.

After a narrow loss in Washington in which they shared the ball and played well on offense, they’ve upset the Minnesota Timberwolves, lost to the Cleveland Cavaliers by one point on the road and stunned the Boston Celtics in Boston.

Coach had a simple message when they returned to practice Monday: Don’t let up.

“My vibe was to be intense with these guys,” Vogel told reporters after the workout ended. “Everybody’s feeling better about things, despite what our record looks like, that we’re playing better basketball. But keep your foot on the gas. I tried to make sure I stayed on these guys and made sure they brought the necessary intensity and continue getting better and not take a step back after a big win.”

Vogel has good reason to be concerned.

His team hasn’t won two games in a row since it followed a victory over the New York Knicks on Nov. 8 with a victory over the Phoenix Suns on Nov. 10.

The Magic will host the Sacramento Kings tonight.

“I don’t know if you can talk about momentum,” swingman

said. “I just think we are playing really hard right now. We’re not thinking about the next game or the next 30 games or the All-Star break right now. We’re just being in the moment competing right now, and I think that’s why we play good.”

Vogel enjoyed a fantastic Sunday. His eldest daughter,

played on a soccer team that won a tournament. Hours later, the Magic defeated the Eastern Conference-leading Celtics 103-95. And then came the frosting on top: Vogel’s beloved Philadelphia Eagles crushed the Minnesota Vikings 38-7 to win the NFC Championship.

The Magic’s chartered flight from Boston landed in Orlando in the middle of the second quarter, which allowed Vogel to listen to the Eagles’ radio broadcast of the game on his ride to his home.

Vogel listened as Eagles play-by-play man describe 53-yard touchdown pass to

to extend Philadelphia’s lead to 20-7 before the extra point.

“I heard that call,” Vogel said. “I tried to record it. I was late to get my phone up there. But it was neat.”