It could be a brand new 12 months, however the Orlando Magic adopted a well-recognized sample Wednesday evening towards the Detroit Pistons.
The Magic trailed by 18 factors, however got here again to make it a one-possession sport on a number of events halfway by way of the fourth quarter.
Whereas Orlando’s final three victories have been comebacks of 15 factors or extra, this rally within the Motor Metropolis ran out of gasoline. The Pistons in the end led from begin to end and beat the Magic 105-96.
Magic coach Jamahl Mosley appreciated his workforce’s normal combat. “We turned them over 24 occasions for 25 factors, in order that gave us a chance.”
However the comeback failed, Mosley mentioned, as a result of the Magic squandered momentum with premature poor shot choice and their very own turnovers. “That allowed them to return again on the break to attain straightforward baskets on the rim.”
The loss dropped Orlando to 20-15. Detroit’s fifteenth win surpassed its win whole from final season.
Regardless of the extreme giveaways, the Pistons shot 51.9 % from the sphere, outshot the Magic 52-44 within the paint and totaled 17 second-chance factors. Coming into the sport, Orlando was permitting an NBA-low 10.6 factors per sport on such alternatives.
Jalen Suggs’ 24 factors led the Magic. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, in a return to the town that drafted him, scored 21 targets, hitting his first eight pictures. Suggs and KCP accounted for 5 of the Magic’s 18 steals. Wendell Carter Jr. posted a season-high 15 factors and added eight rebounds.
Detroit was led by the backcourt duo of Cade Cunningham and Jaden Ivey, who mixed for 41 factors on 15-of-25 taking pictures. With assist from three different double-digit scorers – Jalen Duren (18 factors, 11 rebounds), Tobias Harris (17) and Tim Hardaway Jr. (12) – The Pistons offense put the Magic in a gap all through the early segments of the sport. .
Ivey left the sport within the fourth quarter after an unintended collision with Cole Anthony. Each groups huddled across the Pistons guard, who initially screamed in ache and grabbed his left leg. He was laid on a stretcher and towels lined the injured leg.
“I simply have to wish for the younger man,” Mosley mentioned. “It was heartbreaking to see this occur. I imply, you compete the perfect you’ll be able to and also you by no means need to see this occur to anybody. Simply my ideas and prayers, our ideas and prayers are with him, I pray it isn’t as unhealthy because it appears I pray for a speedy restoration no matter it might be.
The Magic will face the Toronto Raptors on Friday to complete this two-game street journey. The announcement will happen at 7:30 p.m. ET at Scotiabank Area.
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