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Orlando Magic Power Rankings Roundup: Signs of life, even in death

By Philip Rossman-Reich

Mar 22, 2017; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic guard Elfrid Payton (4) drives to the basket as Charlotte Hornets guard Kemba Walker (15) defends during the second half at Amway Center.Charlotte Hornets defeated the Orlando Magic 109-102. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 22, 2017; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic guard Elfrid Payton (4) drives to the basket as Charlotte Hornets guard Kemba Walker (15) defends during the second half at Amway Center.Charlotte Hornets defeated the Orlando Magic 109-102. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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Frank Vogel, Orlando Magic
Mar 10, 2017; Charlotte, NC, USA; Orlando Magic head coach Frank Vogel reacts to a call in the second half against the Charlotte Hornets at Spectrum Center. The Hornets defeated the Magic 121-81. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports /

Marc Stein, ESPN.com

1. team. 41. . (59-14). Previous: . Golden State Warriors

team. 86. . (28-44). Previous: . Minnesota Timberwolves. 24

Previous: . Orlando Magic. 25. team. 38. . (27-46)

"So what if the opposition sports a combined record of 49-98? Orlando’s wins last week over Phoenix and Philadelphia represent its first back-to-back W’s since (gulp) Dec. 23 and 26. The victory over the Sixers was particularly notable because the Magic, after 55 consecutive defeats in that situation, overturned a 15-point halftime deficit. NBA teams were actually 8-181 this season when trailing by 15 points or more at the half before the Magic’s rally, which wound up sparking a three-win week when Orlando inflicted one of the most painful losses of the season for old friend Stan Van Gundy’s Detroit Pistons. In an 115-87 home rout of the Pistons, Elfrid Payton’s 14 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists made him, at 23, this league’s youngest player to record four triple-doubles in a month since LeBron James had four in November 2007 at the age of 22."

. (28-45). Previous: . Sacramento Kings. 26. team. 84

The list of opponents for Orlando Magic wins is not that impressive. The last Playoff-bound team the Magic defeated was the Miami heat, and they are trying to get in by the skin of their teeth at the moment. Defeating the Phoenix Suns and Philadelphia 76ers are not going to impress anyone. A 28-point win over the struggling Detroit Pistons is also nice, but not overly impressive. That might be why Wednesday’s loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder stings the most.

It is hard to say exactly whether the Magic’s recent win streak is real. Or any of this winning is real, for that matter. The Magic seem good enough to beat the worst in the league right now, but not good enough to make a serious threat at Playoff teams.

Even that information is valuable. Orlando knows now they still have to improve the team’s talent base even with this new style that seems to be working. That might also be a “well, duh” moment.

Still, Frank Vogel praised his team for finally getting that second win in a row. He is not above praising little victories like that. When it has been so long, he said, you have to notice it and recognize it. And then build on it. that is the next step.

The Magic are not quite there yet.