NBA Power Rankings: Magic Moving Up After Win Streak?

The Orlando Magic, winners of two straight games, look to make a leap in this week's NBA power rankings.

Jeremy Brener | Nov 14, 2022

NBA Power Rankings: Magic Moving Up After Win Streak? /

ORLANDO - The Orlando Magic is not where it wants to be at 4-9, but the past two games are a sign that the team is closer to reaching goals.

After allowing 129.3 points per game during the first three contests of a seven-game homestand, the Magic has relied on defense in the last two, both wins against the challenging Dallas Mavericks and Phoenix Suns ... and holding them each under 100 points.

The Magic's win streak has impressed The Athletic, triggering them to move up two spots to No. 26 in this week's power rankings.

"The Magic have been extremely competitive lately with those three good wins happening the past two weeks," The Athletic writes. "They’re going to have a lot of down moments this season, but their defense has remained pretty respectable. Four of their next five are very winnable, so let’s see if they can keep this competitive streak going."

What's even more impressive is the fact that the wins came without the services of No. 1 overall pick Paolo Banchero, who is dealing with an ankle sprain. Banchero is considered day-to-day and could return as early as tonight against the Charlotte Hornets.

After playing the Hornets tonight, the Magic close out the homestand against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday and a back-to-back against the Chicago Bulls and Indiana Pacers on Friday and Saturday.

You can follow Jeremy Brener on Twitter @JeremyBrener.

Want the latest in breaking news and insider information on the Magic? Click Here.

Follow The Magic Insider on Facebook.

Follow The Magic Insider on Twitter.

Published Nov 14, 2022

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.