NBA Power Rankings: Orlando Magic Making Leap After Win Streak?

The Orlando Magic has surprised a lot of people so far this season, and as a result, the team has continued to rise up the power rankings.

The Orlando Magic won three of its four games in its road trip that concluded on Sunday night with an impressive win against the red-hot Indiana Pacers.

Going into that game on Sunday night, it was expected to be a battle between the top offense and one of the top defenses in the NBA. It was not necessarily expected that the Magic would take control as much as it did, as the team won by double-digits.

As a result of this impressive play as of late, the Magic has jumped several spots in the latest NBA.com Power Rankings. The team went from the number 19 spot to the number 17 spot. The team's defense has been the driving factor behind it rising in the rankings.

Orlando Magic guard Cole Anthony (50) and forward Paolo Banchero celebrate mid-game against the Indiana Pacers on Sunday / Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

At the time of these new power rankings going up, the Magic is second in the entire NBA in defensive rating and eight in net rating. Sunday's game was just the second time this season that the Pacers have scored less than 118 points per 100 possessions.

The Magic is doing all of this without one of its key contributors as well. Wendell Carter Jr. has missed the last eight games, and the Magic has still been as good as it has defensively. Once he comes back, the Magic could take a massive leap in the power rankings.

Raptors vs. Magic GAMEDAY Preview: How to Watch, Betting Odds, Injury Report

The Magic will look to continue to show its improvement as the team will begin a six-game home stand tonight against the Toronto Raptors in In-Season Tournament action. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. ET from the Amway Center.