THE Magic wrapped up a three-game homestand Sunday night when they earned a victory over the Pistons behind a team-high 29 forward points Paolo Banchero.
Jamahl Mosley’s team played their style of basketball and dominated Detroit 68-40 in the paint while outshooting them 48-28 throughout the night.
The Magic (35-26) led by 27 points in a 113-91 victory over the Pistons (9-51), whom they swept 4-0 in the regular season.
Orlando hits the road Tuesday to open a three-game trip at Charlotte for the first of a back-to-back. The team faces the Wizards the following night.
Successful start 5
Mosley started with guards Jalen Suggs and Gary Harris as well as forwards Banchero and Franz Wagner and center Wendell Carter Jr. against the Pistons, who had no answer to their physicality.
Orlando’s starters not only earned their minutes, but dominated them.
All five starters had a plus-minus rating of at least plus-29 and outscored Detroit’s starters 80-48.
Although Banchero missed his first three shots from the field, he started 4 of 4 at Charity Stadium before finishing 8 of 9 there. He began to find his rhythm during a 10-point second quarter before adding 13 in the third by attacking the basket.
Carter was also effective from the free throw line (7 of 7) and made a pair of triples in two attempts. He had success in the paint on both ends, going 3 of 4 around the rim, blocking 2 shots and grabbing 8 rebounds.
Suggs helped defend Detroit guard and Montverde Academy alum Cade Cunningham (9 points) and made sharp cuts to the basket on offense that led to easy points in the paint, including a snap with one hand in the first frame.
Fultz finds a way
Coming off the bench for the fourth consecutive contest, Magic guard Markelle Fultz gave Orlando’s second unit a boost.
He scored 10 straight points for the Magic from the first quarter to the second quarter by helping push the pace and attacking to get close to the basket.
Along with Cole Anthony and Joe Ingles, Fultz at times initiated the offense for the second unit and converted several reverse layups.
His night was highlighted by a step-back dunk on a missed 3-point shot by Anthony on the first possession of the second frame.
Fultz was the only member of the second unit to finish in double figures.
Home advantage
The Magic improved to 21-8 at home this season, posting a winning record at the Kia Center.
This is the first time since 2019 that the franchise has finished a season with a record above .500 at home. That year, the team went 25-16 in Orlando.
On Sunday, the Magic beat the Pistons in front of 19,459 fans, which was the third-largest crowd in franchise history.
Three of the top four attendances of all time were set during this season.
Email Jason Beede at [email protected] or follow him on X, known as Twitter, at @therealBeede.
