Following the humiliating 96-87 defeat to the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday, the Orlando Magic have crashed back down to earth. Now having lost nine of their last 10 contests after their defeat at Amway Center to the Charlotte Hornets, it appears the Magic’s hard and active defense, that did so much to define the first half of their season, has all but disappeared.
They have fallen out of the playoffs and, with a highly difficult schedule coming up —ESPN.com ranks Orlando as so far having the weakest schedule in the entire league — there will be little respite for Orlando.