Weekly Magic Power Rankings

If you’re still interested in this short of thing at this stage of the season, the Magic remain firmly entrenched towards the bottom of all NBA power rankings. Of course the only ranking that matters at this stage is the one at the very bottom of this list. Click on each publication for the full ranking...

ESPN - Magic fall from 27 to 28

The Magic started the easiest six-game stretch by any team in the NBA this season, according to BPI, with Saturday’s home win over the Suns. The Magic’s next five games are against the Nets, Bulls, Hawks, Knicks and Mavericks -- a stretch that could prove costly for Orlando’s draft lottery odds. -- Michael Schwartz

CBS Sports - Magic fall from 25 to 26

The Orlando defense was starting to turn a corner earlier in the season when it had its hot start. Once Jonathan Isaac went down with an ankle injury, that was the end of the Magic’s run on the defensive side of the court. From that point on, they’ve been one of the worst teams in the league. -- Chris Barnewall

SI.com - Magic jump from 27 to 23

(No write-up included)

USA Today - Magic remain at 27

With his 29 points, 11 rebounds, eight assists and three steals on Saturday, Aaron Gordon became the first Magic player since Steve Francis (2005) to post such a stat line. -- AJ Neuharth-Keusch

NBA.com - Magic remain at 28

The Magic have seen the league’s sixth biggest increase in offensive efficiency, having scored 2.3 more points per 100 possessions than they did last season. Of course, improvement is easier when you’re starting with the second worst offense in the league, and this will be the Magic’s sixth straight season in the bottom 10 on that end of the floor. Still, better health probably would have resulted in a bigger step forward; They scored 109 points per 100 possessions with Evan Fournier, Terrence Ross, Aaron Gordon and Nikola Vucevic on the floor together. Improvement came with better and more frequent 3-point shooting; Among players that have played at least 50 games in each of the last two seasons, Gordon (from 1.0 to 2.0) and Vucevic (from 0.3 to 1.3) both rank in the top 10 in regard to increase in made 3-pointers per game. With 22 wins, the Magic have some ... interesting games this week against the Nets (23 wins), Bulls (24) and Hawks (21). -- John Schuhmann

UPROXX - Magic jump from 26 to 25

Orlando did the bare minimum this week and that included a victory over the hapless Suns. It is tough to actually reward that win, especially at home, but we can’t punish it either. -- Brad Rowland

Tankathon - Magic at fifth in the NBA Draft Power Rankings

(The most important ranking of all for us Magic fans)