Orlando Magic Grades: Detroit Pistons 118, Orlando Magic 102
The Orlando Magic struggled to shoot the ball and had no working defense for Detroit Pistons center Andre Drummond.
64. 102. 38. Final. 118
The Orlando Magic did a number of things right in its 118-102 loss to the Detroit Pistons on Wednesday, but it did so many things wrong defensively that any of the strong points in this loss may be quickly forgotten.
The Magic shot just 39 percent from the floor and allowed the Detroit Pistons to hit 53 percent of their field goals while also getting to the line to knock down 21 of 25.
The Magic were playing without Nikola Vucevic for the 10th straight game, and perhaps he may have been of some aid in slowing down Pistons center Andre Drummond. Drummond had 30 points and 14 rebounds, making short work of Aaron Gordon, Jason Smith and Dewayne Dedmon.
The Pistons put seven players in double figures and took advantage of a slow Magic defense which simply could not consistently contest Detroit, whether it was from inside the arc or beyond it.
VICTOR OLADIPO. C-. <p><strong><a href=. SG. Orlando Magic
Orlando Magic. ELFRID PAYTON. B -. <p><strong><a href=. PG
<p>Aaron Gordon is the third of three Magic players in this one to receive a middling grade. He really struggled to get his offense going, and if not for his pure athleticism creating offense for him on the glass he would have had further troubles still.</p><p>Gordon had six offensive rebounds and was responsible for the Magic having a first half edge in points in the paint and offensive rebounding. He finished with 15 points and 11 rebounds and he was active all night.</p><p>Gordon has had far better games, but the fact he was able to keep himself mentally engaged on a night when the Magic were out of their flow and trailing the Pistons badly speaks highly of Gordon’s drive. The hope is he can finish the season out with 11 strong more efforts, because even when he is off there is always the chance for the highlight dunk or great defensive play.</p>. PF. Orlando Magic. AARON GORDON. C-
B+. <p>The Detroit Pistons are fighting desperately to make the No. 8 seed in the Eastern Conference and if the team played like this offensively every night that may become the case.</p><p>The Pistons had an easy time shooting the ball, and the Magic had no answer for Andre Drummond. He was bigger and stronger than any defender the Magic threw at him, and the Pistons exploited that the entire night.</p><p><strong><a href=. . . DETROIT PISTONS