The return of Rashard Lewis has helped the Magic improve defensively in recent weeks.

Lewis was suspended for the first 10 games of the season for taking a banned substance and made his season debut on Nov. 16.

In the 10 games Lewis missed, Orlando allowed opponents to score more than 100 points in each contest. However, with Lewis the Magic have surrendered more than 100 points just twice in nine games.

"It's helped us immensely, a lot more than people give him credit for," coach Stan Van Gundy said. "He's been in our system for a couple of years. He knows what's going on. He's a pretty quick reacting guy, and he's just got more experience overall than [power forwards] Ryan [Anderson] and Brandon [Bass]."

Lewis made highlights this week when he raced down the court to block a layup attempt by New York's Danilo Gallinari on a fast break.

"I think I'm a good team defender," Lewis said. "I'm great on rotating to other guys' men and knowing the scheme of the defense. I remember on that block Coach was screaming 'Get back!' because I was getting ready to go in for the offensive rebound."