The Detroit Pistons continue to prove why they are the best team in the Eastern Conference, defeating the Orlando Magic 106-92 Sunday night at the Kia Center. Detroit has now won eight of their last nine games and hold the best win percentage in the entire NBA (.763).
After Orlando opened the game on an 8-2 run, things immediately turned sloppy. The Magic had five turnovers within the first 10 minutes. It led to some fast-break opportunities for Cade Cunningham, who finished the first quarter with 10 points. Orlando led the Pistons 26-23 after one frame, though. despite having 11 less shot attempts.
In the first half, Cunningham was 0-for-6 from three. In fact, the Pistons missed their first 15 attempts from three. Orlando entered the halftime locker room with a 57-50 lead.
In the second half, the Magic couldn’t get anything going as Detroit took control of the game. In the third quarter alone, the Pistons outscored the Magic 31-18 to take a six point lead going into the final quarter. The Magic continued their bad shot selection in the fourth quarter while Cunningham kept knifing up Orlando’s defense. The Magic scored just 35 points in the entire second half.
The Magic had a problem finishing at the rim. Magic coach Jamahl Mosley said that’s what makes Detroit so good.
“You got to give Detroit a ton of credit for what they did at the rim,” Mosley said. “They had somebody there all the time. Their low man was present each time we attacked the basket. You stopped the film, and you pause it at any time they got three and four guys around you. Now, we did have some wide open sprays, some wide open looks that, you know, they just didn’t go down at the right moment. And when those long shots go up and there’s a long rebound, they were off to the races. And so again, we got to do a better job of getting downhill, knowing how much of a crowd is there and being able to pass it out and keep trusting that pass. But when you get down there and you can finish, you have to finish.”
The Magic also had a problem holding onto the ball. Orlando turned over the ball 19 times, which led to 26 Detroit points. The Pistons also won the rebounding battle 56-41.
“There’s a reason why they lead the league in… top five in points off turnovers, deflections and steals,” Mosley said. “So, they’re getting their hand on the basketball at all times. When we get downhill, we have to know guys are reaching and swiping. The moment you turn your back, you’re going to have three guys ready to take the basketball from you. You know, we’ve got to create pockets and open space for guys to be able to have outlets. Then we just got to be tighter with the basketball.”
On the other side of the ball, the Magic had no answer for All-Star Cade Cunningham. Cunningham scored 29 points with 11 assists and six rebounds. The former Montverde Academy star has recorded at least seven assists in 16 straight games, the second-longest streak in the NBA this season. Cunningham has also logged 19 games with at least 25 points and 10 assists, the second most games in a season in franchise history behind Isiah Thomas, who had 22 in 1984.
Former Magic Tobias Harris is proving that age is just a number. The 33-year-old, who is in his 15th NBA season, recorded 23 points with seven rebounds in his return to Orlando.
“He’s always there when we need him,” Pistons head coach J.B. Bickerstaff said. “That’s the greatest compliment you can give to a guy. No matter the situation, no matter time, score – the play that needs to be made, Tobias has over and over again made that play. For a guy, you know what I mean, who understands his game, understands how to get to his spot… like he’s a run stopper or extender. You know we can get him the ball in certain spots, and pretty much it’s going to be two points or at least a foul. You know, I’ve called him my safety blanket for a year and a half now. And that’s what he is for me and this team.”
All-Star Jalen Duren also played well, recording the 133rd double-double of his career with 16 points and 10 rebounds. He had a team-high +16 rating as he continues to show why he is one of the best scorers in the paint in the entire league. Ausar Thompson was a point shy of a double-double, recording nine points and 11 rebounds.
For the Magic, Paolo Banchero led the way with 24 points and 11 rebounds. The former Duke star got to the free throw line 16 times Sunday night, but it wasn’t enough as he only made two trips to the stripe in the second half. Banchero had a team-worst -25 rating. After having no turnovers in his last game against the Houston Rockets, Banchero had nine turnovers against Detroit.
“I think it was a couple of bad passes,” Banchero said. “Trying to give it up to my teammates when maybe I should have just shot it. A couple of those – a travel, an over and back call, so just a bad night. Pretty frustrating.”
Tristan da Silva (19), Desmond Bane (17) and Jalen Suggs (14) also scored in double figures.
Other Notes:
- It was a matchup between the No. 1 picks from the 2021 and 2022 NBA Draft – Cunningham vs. Banchero.
- The Pistons are now 21-7 against teams .500 or better this season.
- Orlando is now 60-73 all-time against Detroit.
- Orlando is now 17-11 at home this season.
- This game ends Orlando’s streak of four consecutive games decided by five points or less.
- Orlando is 12-15 in games decided by 10 points or more. Last season, the Magic were 22-20 in those situations.
Next Up
The Magic, who are now seventh in the East at 31-28, will continue their homestand with a matchup against the Washington Wizards on Tuesday, March 3. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m.