Magic still fifth-worst in NBA standings

The Orlando Magic's stunning, improbable loss to the Miami Heat on Wednesday might have affected their fans' morale, but it didn't really factor into the NBA standings too much: at 19-40, Orlando still owns the league's fifth-worst record, and doesn't seem likely to "catch" any of the four teams below it by the time the season ends.

In fact, the Magic could face pressure from "behind." The Denver Nuggets have lost four straight games and "trail" the Magic by only two games in the NBA Draft Lottery standings. Indeed, Orlando may soon be "overtaken" and "fall" to sixth-worst. Should the Magic finish the season there, they'd have a 6.3 percent chance of landing the top overall pick. That's compared to an 8.8 percent chance if they finish with the league's fifth-worst record.

At the other end of the standings, the Golden State Warriors still rule the league, owning a 44-10 record. At 45-12, the Atlanta Hawks, a Southeast Division rival and Orlando's opponent Friday, trail the Dubs by just a half-game.