MEMPHIS – To fully comprehend just how important smothering and suffocating defense is to the overall success of the Orlando Magic, consider this one very telling set of statistics.
In their 31 victories this season, the Magic have a defensive rating (100.6 points allowed per 100 possessions) that ranks third overall in the NBA. However, in their 36 losses that defensive rating (113.9 points per 100 possession) jumps more than 13 points allowed a game and it knocks them down to 11th in the NBA.
Simply put, when the Magic are at their best defensively, they have displayed an ability to beat any team in the NBA and they look very much worthy of being a playoff team.