Orlando Magic Grades: Detroit Pistons 108, Orlando Magic 104
The Orlando Magic lost another fourth quarter lead, but this team it was because of execution and because the Detroit Pistons made key plays and shots.
64. Final. 104. 38. 108
The Orlando Magic came to the end of the game once again after seeing a lead collapse around them. Their seven-point fourth-quarter lead had been erased as the Pistons and their series of runs finally overtook the Magic with a 12-2 run.
Orlando was continuing to fight back and try to give itself a chance. There were plenty of opportunities to tie the game. Aaron Gordon missed a wide-open 3-pointer on perhaps the Magic’s best offensive possession of the game. Evan Fournier too had an open 3-pointer much later in the game with a chance to tie that fell no good.
That was the kind of game the Magic were having. They were scoring points, but offense seemed to be a struggle. It was the first time in a while that was the case for Orlando.
The Magic could not get stops either. The Pistons got Reggie Jackson driving to the basket hard and finishing or drawing a foul or the Pistons finding the ball back out to the perimeter for 3-pointers.
Detroit was the team that executed at the end. Orlando missed its shots and went into something of a shell once again.
C. Orlando Magic. NIKOLA VUCEVIC. B+. <p>Coach <strong><a href=
B-. <p>Evan Fournier had an odd game. On one hand he scored a team-high 19 points and picked up some major scoring slack. He shook off a cold shooting performance to start the game and started blowing the doors open in the second half. On the other hand he had a -20 in the game and was on the floor when the Magic struggled the most.</p><p>Fournier started the game shooting 1 for 7 in the first half, missing all four of his 3-point attempts. He was struggling against the bigger <strong><a href=. SF. Orlando Magic. EVAN FOURNIER
C+. <p><strong><a href=. SG. Orlando Magic. VICTOR OLADIPO
B. <p><strong><a href=. PF. Orlando Magic. ANDREW NICHOLSON
<p>The Detroit Pistons were not at their best throughout the game. They shot 45.3 percent from the floor and let the Orlando Magic dictate the game for much of the second half. After Orlando caught up after a slow start, Detroit was fighting up hill. The second unit struggled in the second quarter.</p><p>But the Pistons found their way. Reggie Jackson attacked the basket and they attacked Nikola Vucevic well in pick and rolls constantly. They dared the Magic to stop them. They found open 3-pointers.</p><p>This game came down to who was willing to move the ball. Both teams went through fits where they just attacked as individuals rather than moving it as a team. The Pistons had the last spurt of the game and that was enough to hold on for a critical win.</p>. 42-37. 8th East. DETROIT PISTONS. B-