The Orlando Magic’s up-and-down season thus far comes after an offseason where the team was projected to be one of the strongest teams in the Eastern Conference. The addition of Desmond Bane through a blockbuster trade along with the draft selection of Michigan State Spartans guard Jase Richardson hopes to fix the team’s perimeter shooting woes over the past couple of seasons. Despite the shooting issues, the Magic are back to .500 and looking to make an impact in the East.

Longtime writer John Schuhmann released his power rankings for NBA.com. Last week, the Magic were ranked at No. 20. Heading into this week, they have risen to No. 17. 

“Before their overtime loss in Houston, the Magic needed an 11-0, closing run to beat the Nets on Friday,” the article wrote. “But they’ve been pretty good (plus-9.1 points per 100 possessions) in 117 minutes with Desmond Bane and Franz Wagner on the floor without Banchero. Tristan da Silva started the two games in Banchero’s place and totaled 35 points (shooting 7-for-15 from 3-point range), 15 rebounds, three steals and two blocks over the two.”

Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner have unsurprisingly been the highest scorers on the team, averaging north of 20 points. Jalen Suggs is also flirting with 50/40/90 shooting splits. The offensive game seems to be thriving over the past week. 

“Wendell Carter Jr. did a terrific job of (after switching ball-screens) containing Jalen Brunson and staying down on his pump fakes in the Magic’s win in New York,” the article added. “Carter has switched a lower percentage of ball-screens than he did last season, but also helped keep Karl-Anthony Towns in check on Wednesday, when the Knicks scored just 107 points on 101 possessions, their worst offensive performance since Week 1. That was also a terrific offensive game for the Magic, and they’ve seen the league’s sixth biggest jump in points scored per 100 possessions from last season. But that end of the floor remains an issue at times. They’re one of only three teams – the Pacers and Wizards are the others – that the Nets have held under 115 points per 100 possessions, and the Houston game started to slip away when they went scoreless on six straight trips in the fourth quarter.”

The Magic play four games this week, hosting the Warriors, Clippers and Knicks before concluding the week by traveling to Boston.