NBA Power Rankings: Orlando Magic Stays at Top?
ORLANDO - The Orlando Magic is back on a winning streak after stumbling in two road games a week ago.
Following losses to the Brooklyn Nets and the Cleveland Cavaliers on the road, the Magic has grabbed wins against the Detroit Pistons and Cavs at home.
The 2-2 stretch has placed the Magic at No. 7 in CBS Sports' power rankings, three spots lower than last week.
Detroit Pistons forward Bojan Bogdanovic (44) shoots the ball over Orlando Magic guard Caleb Houstan (2) during the second quarter at Amway Center.
Mike Watters-USA TODAY Sports
"Orlando split with the Cavs this week, with an extremely comfortable win over the Pistons in between," CBS Sports writes. "Paolo Banchero scored a career-high 42 points on 16-for-26 shooting in the loss to Cleveland, while Franz Wagner put up 20 points, five rebounds and five assists per game for the week."
The Magic ranks behind the Los Angeles Lakers, Boston Celtics, Philadelphia 76ers, Minnesota Timberwolves, Oklahoma City Thunder and Sacramento Kings.
This week, the Magic will have a direct opportunity to move up in the power rankings with a pair of games against the Celtics on Friday and Sunday. The games will mark the second and third meetings between the two teams this season.
Orlando and Boston last played against one another on Black Friday in the In-Season Tournament, where the Magic pulled off a big win at home that somewhat put the team on the map in the eyes of the national audience. The team's performances this weekend could continue to establish the team's spot at the top of the league ... or it could relegate it towards the middle of the pack.
