NBA Power Rankings: Magic Riding Middle After All-Star Break

The Orlando Magic are 30-25 at the All-Star Break. Where does that put them in this week's power rankings?

Jeremy Brener | Feb 22, 2024

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Orlando Magic

ORLANDO - The Orlando Magic are beginning their second half tonight when they travel to face the Cleveland Cavaliers.

The Magic are hoping to go from the middle of the pack to the top with 27 games remaining on their schedule.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Chuma Okeke Thunder — Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports

They also hope to break away from the middle of CBS Sports' power rankings, where they sit at No. 15, two spots higher than the previous edition.

"The offense still hasn't come around but the Magic have become an elite defensive team, fifth in the league at the All-Star break," CBS Sports writes. "They've managed to achieve that level of efficiency while being relatively average in terms of rim protection, a credit to their long, switchable defenders who can contest shots and limit penetration. In related, hopeful news, Jonathan Isaac has played 37 games this season, and the Magic have a minuscule defensive rating of 100.7 when he's on the floor.

Magic 'Diving Back' to Defense in Final Stretch of Season

The Magic is hopeful that with Isaac healthy, they can boast one of the best defenses in the NBA.

Orlando plays in Cleveland tonight before visiting the Detroit Pistons on Saturday and the Atlanta Hawks on Sunday for another back-to-back.

Published Feb 22, 2024

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.