Orlando Magic head coach Steve Clifford says his team is “getting closer” in regards to living up to its defensive potential.

Entering Monday, the Magic are giving up 106.7 points per game, which ranks seventh in the NBA. Steve Clifford, however, wants his guys to be even better than that and more consistent.

“No, not yet, but we’re getting closer,” Clifford said when asked if his team was living up to its defensive potential, via John Denton of NBA.com.“Again, I think we’re going to have to be top-10 in defense and top-15 in offense. We dropped back to (No.) 26 in offense after being up to (No.) 22. It’s the same thing defensively as it has been all along – play the games, learn from the games and get better.’’

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Moreover, as noted by Denton, “the Magic are one of just three NBA teams – playoff powerhouses Milwaukee and Boston are the others – that rank in the NBA’s top eight in points in the paint allowed, fast break points allowed, second-chance points allowed and points off turnovers.”

Orlando has two of the best young big men in the NBA in Mohamed Bamba and Jonathan Isaac. Both youngsters have long wingspans and are protecting the paint for the Magic. Isaac is averaging 1.3 blocks per game and Bamba with 1.4  per contest.

Orlando is 14-15 on the year, seventh place in the Eastern Conference. The Magic haven't made the postseason since 2012.