Magic's Serge Ibaka: Production trending upward after slow start

Ibaka put up 21 points (6-11 FG, 3-4 3Pt, 6-6 FT), eight rebounds, three blocks, two steals and one assist across 37 minutes in Monday's 93-89 loss to the Bucks.

Analysis:

Ibaka seems to have recovered nicely from a painfully slow start to the season, as the big man has averaged 17.8 points (on 51.5% shooting), 9.4 rebounds, 2.0 blocks, 1.8 three-pointers and 1.0 steal over 32.6 minutes per game in his last five contests. The increased outputs in the rebounds and blocks categories in particular offer hope that Ibaka may be able to reverse the three-year decline he's seen in both areas, which is certainly conceivable given that he remains just 27 years old.