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Orlando Magic Weekly Preview: December 30-January 3

By Joe Buckley

Dec 20, 2015; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic forward Evan Fournier (10) points to his teammates after hitting a three point shot during the second half of a basketball game against the Atlanta Hawks at Amway Center. The Atlanta Hawks won 103-100. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 20, 2015; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic forward Evan Fournier (10) points to his teammates after hitting a three point shot during the second half of a basketball game against the Atlanta Hawks at Amway Center. The Atlanta Hawks won 103-100. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports /
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Tobias Harris, Orlando Magic
Dec 8, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Orlando Magic forward Tobias Harris (12) shoots the ball during the second half against the Denver Nuggets at Pepsi Center. The Magic won 85-74. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports /

What We Learned

By David Iwanowski

The offense and defense have both turned around recently.

The once rough Magic offense has risen to 16th in the league in offensive rating. Ever since the switch to putting Channing Frye in the starting lineup, the Magic have been moving the ball better and shooting at a solid mark. They have scored 100 or more points in seven straight games.

The spacing and cutting have opened up the lane for more driving opportunities, and some guys have taken advantage of it. Elfrid Payton has specifically been more aggressive attacking the rim, and that has really helped the offense.

The defense, on the other hand, has not been good. The Magic allowed 1.24 points per possession on Saturday against Miami, their worst defensive output of the season. Miami was able to tear Orlando’s defense apart, despite being currently ranked as the 10th best offense in the league.

The Magic seem to be allowing ball handlers to get into the paint at ease, and the rotations have been a lot slower. Guys like James Harden, Dwyane Wade and Goran Dragic have been able to penetrate, and, in turn, either get easy layups or create wide-open shots for teammates.

The Magic defense, which was top 10 in defensive efficiency for a solid portion of the season, has fallen to 12th in the league. They will really need to sort out these defensive mistakes if they want to keep up with the improved Eastern Conference.

Next: Power Rankings Roundup