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Orlando Magic Power Rankings Roundup: Trade showcase time

By Philip Rossman-Reich

Jan 29, 2017; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Orlando Magic center Nikola Vucevic (9) controls the ball as Toronto Raptors center Lucas Nogueira (92) defends during the third quarter at Air Canada Centre. The Orlando Magic won 114-113. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 29, 2017; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Orlando Magic center Nikola Vucevic (9) controls the ball as Toronto Raptors center Lucas Nogueira (92) defends during the third quarter at Air Canada Centre. The Orlando Magic won 114-113. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports /
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Frank Vogel, Mario Hezonja, Orlando Magic
Jan 20, 2017; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic head coach Frank Vogel talks with guard Mario Hezonja (8) against the Milwaukee Bucks during the first half at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

John Schuhmann, NBA.com

(41-7). Previous: . Golden State Warriors. 1. team. 41. We often talk about the Death Lineup (which has outscored opponents by 25.3 points per 100 possessions in 182 minutes), but the Warriors’ starting lineup has been nearly as dominant – plus-23.0 in 508 minutes, the league’s best mark (by a wide margin) among lineups that have played at least 200 minutes . The group has been outscored in only one of its last 22 games together – this past Wednesday in Charlotte, when small-ball came to the rescue in the fourth quarter. Maybe the fans knew what they were doing and <strong><a rel=

team. 27. The Knicks have now had six straight games go down to the wire, a chance for Carmelo Anthony to show off his clutchness as <strong><a rel=. (21-28). Previous: . New York Knicks. 26

Even with Evan Fournier and Jodie Meeks out, <strong><a rel=. 19-30. Previous: . Orlando Magic. 27. team. 38

28. team. 66. Eric Bledsoe set new career highs (40 and 41) twice in the last four games and is putting up career-best numbers in points, assists, free throw attempts and free throw percentage. The Suns have scored 113.2 points per 100 possessions with Bledsoe on the floor in January, in part because Devin Booker’s smoth jumper has finally resulted in an above-average effective field goal percentage (54.3 percent) this month. But the Suns rank 27th on the other end of floor in January. <strong><a rel=. (15-32). Previous: . Phoenix Suns

The obsession with Mario Hezonja throughout the season is one of the follies of relying on draft picks. The narrative is certainly that Hezonja is the fifth overall pick and the Magic invested a significant asset in this promising young player. The reality is Hezonja is not a player who can contribute to winning basketball consistently and does not have his coach’s trust.

Frank Vogel moved Hezonja back into the rotation a few weeks ago and Hezonja has yet to make much of an impact. Not only has he not made much of an impact, his shooting numbers have not self-corrected. And even without the Magic’s top shooting guards, Hezonja could not find minutes.

Now he is out of the rotation entirely. That decision might be puzzling. Or it might be the delusions of a team sill trying to hang on to fleeting playoff hopes. At a certain point, the Magic need to play Hezonja heavy minutes and just see what he can do.