Orlando Magic Power Rankings Roundup: Numbers never lie

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Bismack Biyombo, Orlando Magic, Kemba Walker, Charlotte Hornets

Dec 28, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Charlotte Hornets guard Kemba Walker (15) drives past Orlando Magic center Bismack Biyombo (11) during the first quarter of an NBA basketball game at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports /

Jeremy Woo, Sports Illustrated

Previous: . Cleveland Cavaliers. 1. team. 156. Barring some unforeseen disaster, the Cavs are probably gonna hang on to this spot until the Warriors rematch on Jan. 16. That game comes at the end of a 10-day, six game Cleveland road trip.. (25-7)

(16-18). Previous: . Chicago Bulls. 19. team. 24. It didn’t take long for the predictable <strong><a rel=

20. team. 38. The Magic had the NBA’s second-best defensive efficiency in November, then fell to No. 24 in December. Although the offense ticked upward, Orlando needs to find a happy medium sooner than later.. (15-20). Previous: . Orlando Magic

team. 34. It’s encouraging to see <strong><a rel=. (15-21). Previous: . Portland Trail Blazers. 21

The Orlando Magic’s biggest problem is encapsulated in Jeremy Woo’s comments about the Magic in this week’s power rankings on Sports Illustrated. The Magic’s defense oscillates like crazy.

For now, Orlando is on a downtick defensively. In fact, the Magic have been down defensively for longer than they have been up. And that is the troubling part for a team that was trying to build a defensive identity.

Orlando still gives up 100 points with regularity. And the Magic do need to find balance.