Orlando Magic Daily
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Five issues the Orlando Magic need to fix

By Ryan Doyle

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - NOVEMBER 27: Elfrid Payton #2 of the Orlando Magic is seen during the game against the Indiana Pacers at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on November 27, 2017 in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.(Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Elfrid Payton
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - NOVEMBER 27: Elfrid Payton #2 of the Orlando Magic is seen during the game against the Indiana Pacers at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on November 27, 2017 in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.(Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Elfrid Payton /
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Bismack Biyombo, Orlando Magic, Will Barton, Denver Nuggets
ORLANDO, FL – DECEMBER 8: Will Barton #5 of the Denver Nuggets drives to the basket against the Orlando Magic on December 8, 2017 at the Amway Center in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Defensive Improvement

Despite boasting a handful of solid individual defenders, the Orlando Magic are among the worst defensive teams in the NBA up to this point.

With coach Frank Vogel at the helm, most pundits felt Orlando would bank on its defensive prowess. Ranking in the bottom half of the league in defensive rating is not part of that formula.

The Magic have a handful of players who have had issues defending for their entire careers in their starting lineup. Nikola Vucevic has been a liability inside and he does not receive any help from Elfird Payton on the perimeter.

It may not seem fair to pick on these two, but they are key cogs for Orlando at the moment and with the injury bug striking, they need to be at their best.

Statistically, the Magic are among the league’s worst defensive teams. Their defensive rating of 107.6 puts them 23rd in the league. They are one of four teams to give up more than 110 points per contest.

The Magic are not just getting beat from deep either. They are being manhandled inside. They allow a league-worst 49.5 points per game in the paint.

Orlando struggled so much in the last month that teams may be having an off night still managed to score more than 100 points. The Orlando Magic have not kept a team to less than 100 points since Nov. 15 — granted the Atlanta Hawks scored only 96 points in regulation in the Magic’s overtime win last week.

Our Philip Rossman-Reich broke down how the Magic are making slight improvements on defense of late. But as he explained there is still a lot of work to do for Orlando.

It is very bold to call out the effort of players, but the Magic need to increase their defensive intensity. Orlando does not have the talent to get into a shootout. They need to bear down and get stops. Otherwise, they are bound to give up back-breaking runs.