Orlando Magic Power Rankings Roundup: One thing or another

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Mar 11, 2017; Orlando, FL, USA; With less than a minute left in the game key magic players watch the game from the bench (left to right) Orlando Magic center Nikola Vucevic (9) and guard Evan Fournier (10) and forward Aaron Gordon (00) and guard Elfrid Payton (4) and forward Terrence Ross (31) during the second half of an NBA basketball game at Amway Center. The Cavaliers won 116-104. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports /

Gerald Bourguet, Hoops Habit

Previous: . San Antonio Spurs. 1. team. 29. . (52-14)

(26-41). Previous: . Sacramento Kings. 27. team. 84.

. (24-44). Previous: . Orlando Magic. 28. team. 38

"Woof, Orlando Magic. Despite three triple-doubles from Elfrid Payton over the Magic’s last five games, they still went 1-4 in that stretch…including losses to the lowly Knicks, slumping Cavs and crummy Kings, plus a 40-point smackdown at the hands of the Hornets."

. (24-42). Previous: . Philadelphia 76ers. 29. team. 93

Woof, indeed.

The Orlando Magic have not had a good run of losses of late. And Gerald Bourguet spares the Magic from discussing their 120-115 loss to the Sacramento Kings to start the week.

Orlando has to avoid these losses — a 40-point loss to the Charlotte Hornets or blowing a big lead at home to the New York Knicks — if the team wants to build that culture Frank Vogel talks about so often. Seeing progress is a goal at least.

The Magic are not going to make any serious push. In all likelihood, they are going to lose a lot of games the rest of the way, even if they are trying to win.

Next: OMD Roundtable: The final countdown

That may be instructive as much as anything else. Orlando needs to make some changes.