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Orlando Magic Power Rankings Roundup: Numbers never lie

By Philip Rossman-Reich

Dec 28, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic center Nikola Vucevic (9) holds back Charlotte Hornets center Frank Kaminsky III (44) during the second half of an NBA basketball game at Amway Center.The Hornets won 120-101. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 28, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic center Nikola Vucevic (9) holds back Charlotte Hornets center Frank Kaminsky III (44) during the second half of an NBA basketball game at Amway Center.The Hornets won 120-101. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 2, 2017; New York, NY, USA; Orlando Magic guard Elfrid Payton (4) looks to pass being defended by New York Knicks guard Brandon Jennings (3) during the second quarter at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 2, 2017; New York, NY, USA; Orlando Magic guard Elfrid Payton (4) looks to pass being defended by New York Knicks guard Brandon Jennings (3) during the second quarter at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports /

Matt Moore, CBS Sports

Kyrie Irving averaged over seven assists per game in December, becoming much more of a playmaker. They won their signature game on Christmas, and as of Monday have a three-game lead over the Raptors. You have to think LeBron’s annual sabbatical to Miami is just around the corner. The Cavs are running out of regular-season stuff to focus on.. (26-7). Previous: . Cleveland Cavaliers. 1. team. 156

100. <strong><a rel=. (17-18). Previous: . Indiana Pacers. 14. team

team. 38. This team is the gnat of the Eastern Conference. They’re insignificant and easily defeatable, but they just keep buzzing around. They had won three of five before Sunday’s loss to Indiana, somehow. The Magic are the third-worst team in the East via Basketball Reference’s Simple Rating System, but keep finding wins like the loose change you pull together to get a burrito at midnight.. (16-20). Previous: . Orlando Magic. 15

(16-18). Previous: . New York Knicks. 16. team. 27. They beat the bad teams (13-4 vs. teams under. 500) and lose to good teams (3-13 vs. teams at or above .500). That is New York’s model. Their playoff hopes may honestly come down to how their opponents are playing at the time they meet.

The Orlando Magic were the biggest climbers, moving up eight spots in Matt Moore’s rankings this week. But like he said they are a gnat.

By all measures, the Magic should be readying to tank or making a panic trade. They are not though. Orlando is right there in the Playoff hunt and trying to sneak in.

Weird, right?