Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports
NBA Power Rankings: Magic Moving Up After Win Streak?
ORLANDO - The Orlando Magic is riding a three-game win streak as it hangs onto dear life for its slim play-in hopes.
The Magic remains in 13th place in the Eastern Conference standings, four games back of the 10-seed Chicago Bulls. The Bulls' magic number to clinch a play-in spot is four, meaning the combination of Bulls wins and Magic losses must equal four.
But in Sports Illustrated's power rankings, the Magic is moving up a spot from No. 25 to 24.
"The Magic are on a three-game winning streak for the first time since December," SI writes. "They held their own at the Amway Center and took down the Wizards, Lakers and Nets. Paolo Banchero led the team for the most part, but Orlando also got key contributions from Gary Harris, who scored a team-high 22 points against Washington, and Cole Anthony, whose 21 points helped the team survive 44 points from Bridges in the Brooklyn game."
The Magic can move up in the Eastern Conference standings, sitting just 0.5-game behind the Indiana Pacers for 12th and one game back of the Washington Wizards for 11th.
Orlando can move up this week with wins against the Memphis Grizzlies tonight, the Wizards on Friday and the Detroit Pistons on Sunday.
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