Orlando Magic Power Rankings Roundup: Numbers never lie
John Schuhmann, NBA.com
Previous: . Cleveland Cavaliers. 1. team. 156. Kyrie Irving is one double-digit assist game (he’s got six, with five in his last seven) from tying his career high (seven), but the Cavs still haven’t figured out how to win without LeBron James, who missed Monday’s loss in Detroit. They have won the last 12 games James has played (and eight of the 12 wins have been over teams currently at or above .500), getting 33 points from <strong><a rel=. (25-7)
86. <strong><a rel=. (11-23). Previous: . Minnesota Timberwolves. 23. team
38. A big game (30 points on 11-for-14 shooting) from <strong><a rel=. (15-20). Previous: . Orlando Magic. 24. team
25. team. 79. The Mavs won the pace battle against the Lakers on Thursday, but didn’t have as much success in slowing their opponents down in their other three games last week. Over the four games, they were outscored 72-15 in fast break points. Monday’s loss in New Orleans, in which the Pelicans had to take only seven shots in the last six seconds of the shot clock, was most damaging to any hopes the Mavs have of climbing into the scrum for eighth place in the West. The offense is there, but the defense won’t be until <strong><a rel=. (10-24). Previous: . Dallas Mavericks
Whereas the Orlando Magic were the biggest riser in CBS Sports’ power rankings, they had the biggest drop of four spots in John Schuhmann’s power rankings this week. Like we always say, this team is weird.
Aaron Gordon is a big part of that inconsistency. His 30-point game against the Memphis Grizzlies was a big sign of all that is good. And then his poor performance against the Charlotte Hornets was about as low as the team could get.
Orlando’s inconsistency is seen in many places. And no one seems capable of figuring out this team.