NBA Power Rankings: Magic Making Move After Losing Streak?

The Orlando Magic just snapped a four-game losing streak. Where does that put the team in the latest power rankings?

Jeremy Brener | Dec 26, 2023

NBA Power Rankings: Magic Making Move After Losing Streak? /

ORLANDO - The Orlando Magic is hoping to get back to winning basketball this week after a tough four-game stretch against some of the top teams in the Eastern Conference.

The Magic suffered a season-worst losing streak after losses to the Boston Celtics (twice), Miami Heat and Milwaukee Bucks. Things began to turn around on Saturday with a win against the Indiana Pacers, but it wasn't enough to move the team higher in CBS Sports' latest power rankings.

Paolo Banchero Bucks MarJon Beauchamp — Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

After slotting in at No. 9 last week, the team moved down three spots to No. 12.

"Losses to the Heat and Bucks to start the week brought the Magic's skid to four games, but they remedied that with a win on Saturday in Indiana," CBS Sports writes. "Franz Wagner and Paolo Banchero each averaged 22 points for the week, while Wendell Carter Jr. saw his first action since early November, putting up five points and six rebounds in just over 20 minutes per game."

Magic Remaining Schedule Among NBA's Easiest?

The Magic's schedule doesn't necessarily get much easier. Orlando will get a winnable game tonight against the Washington Wizards before returning home to face the Philadelphia 76ers (Wed.) and New York Knicks (Fri.).

Then, the team heads out on its second west coast road trip of the season, which begins on New Year's Eve against the Phoenix Suns.

Published Dec 26, 2023

JEREMY BRENER

Jeremy Brener is an editor, writer and social media manager for several Fan Nation websites. His work has also been featured in 247 Sports and SB Nation as a writer and podcaster. Brener has been with Fan Nation since 2021. Brener grew up in Houston, going to Astros, Rockets and Texans games as a kid. He moved to Orlando in 2016 to go to college and pursue a degree. He hosts "The Dream Take" podcast covering the Rockets, which has produced over 350 episodes since March 2020. Brener graduated in May 2020 from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism minoring in Sport Business Management. While at UCF, Brener worked for the school's newspaper NSM.today and "Hitting the Field," a student-run sports talk show and network. He was the executive producer for "Hitting the Field" from 2019-20. During his professional career, Brener has covered a number of major sporting events including the Pro Bowl, March Madness and several NBA and NFL games. As a fan, Brener has been to the 2005 World Series, 2010 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 NCAA National Championship between the Villanova Wildcats and North Carolina Tar Heels. Now, Brener still resides in the Central Florida area and enjoys writing, watching TV, hanging out with friends and going to the gym. Brener can be followed on Twitter @JeremyBrener. For more inquiries, please email jeremybrenerchs@gmail.com.