The Magic are 1-11 in the New Year, the worst mark in the NBA. They’ve lost 7 straight games, 3 in overtime. This is after a 10-5 December, the best record in the Eastern Conference.
Entering the 2016 calendar year, the Magic were 19-13. Orlando was in the 5th spot in the Eastern Conference. Now, they are 12th.
Orlando’s offense is 5% less efficient in 2016. The defense is 7% less efficient.
OFFENSE
**The Magic are turning the ball over at a 4% higher rate in January. Opponents are scoring 36% more fastbreak points per game this month, the equivalent of 4.2 points per game.
**Orlando is offensive rebounding at a 17% lower rate this month. The team is scoring second-chance points at a 37% lower rate, 5.1 fewer second-chance points per game.
DEFENSE
**The Magic are allowing opponents to convert at a 4% higher rate on their effective field goal percentage this month. Opponents are converting three-pointers at a 14% higher rate.
**Orlando is forcing turnovers at a 19% lower rate in January. The result is that the Magic are scoring 28% fewer fastbreak points as compared to earlier in the season.
Peter Newmann is an analyst and writer who spent 10 years at ESPN, 8 as the NBA senior researcher working 24/7 on the league. He wrote game notes for crews, articles for ESPN.com, analysis for studio shows, and regularly assisted reporters and writers. Follow him on Twitter, and check out his daily NBA content service at www.allball365.com.