Orlando Magic Grades: Detroit Pistons 128, Orlando Magic 118
64. 118. 38. Final. 128
The Orlando Magic got picked apart offensively by Brandon Jennings and the pick and roll as the Detroit Pistons rolled to a victory.
The Orlando Magic never led for the second straight game. They got burned by the 3-pointer the last time they faced the Detroit Pistons. And then they got pounded inside.
Still the Magic fell behind by double digits, as much as 17 points in the first half, and needed a 26-6 run in the third and fourth quarters led by Willie Green of all people to get within two points. The Magic looked really good when they had things rolling.
Of course, those moments were few and far between. The Magic gave up a four-point play from Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, a slight bump from Evan Fournier after Pope released the shot drew the whistle. That made a two-point game a six-point game and felt like the dagger.
The Magic “reloaded” with their starters and the Pistons forced turnovers and beat the Magic at their own fast-breaking game.
Brandon Jennings picked the Magic’s defense apart with 24 points and 21 assists, the first 20-20 points/assists game this season. And it was truly picking apart. The Magic’s defenders got stuck and could not get around leaving holes open for the Pistons to attack.
And attack they did.
The Magic were seemingly caught on their back foot and struggled to get any footing defensively.
C-. <strong><a href=. C. Orlando Magic. NIKOLA VUCEVIC
D. Wherever Vucevic succeeded, he did not get the backup he needed at power forward from Frye. If Vucevic stepped up to take the ball handler, Frye was slow to rotate to guard the other big. And <strong><a href=. PF. Orlando Magic. CHANNING FRYE
B. Willie Green returned home and had a great game. As much as fans pile on him, he has the coach’s trust and sometimes it looks like he has earned it. Tonight he earned it.<p>Green was the catalyst for the Magic’s 26-6 run in the second half that made it a two-point game. In fact, Green was the point guard.</p><p>Sure it came against the Pistons’ second unit and he did not score a point. But he helped set a tone defensively by pressuring <strong><a href=. SG. Orlando Magic. WILLIE GREEN
SF. Orlando Magic. TOBIAS HARRIS. B-. <strong><a href=
B+. Except for the stretch spanning the third and fourth quarters, the Pistons got what they wanted and played a perfect game. Stan Van Gundy has this team looking really good as Brandon Jennings is pulling the strings offensively and the floor is spread well with shooters.<p>What made the difference in this game was Greg Monroe, Jennings and Andre Drummond’s willingness to run. They constantly outsprinted the Magic down the floor, turning turnovers into easy points. Their press break and their pick and rolls turned into mini fast breaks and rim runs. The Pistons just picked the Magic apart and made a ton of shots.</p><p>Orlando may not have won even if it played a semblance of defense. Detroit had things rolling really well, taking advantage of Orlando’s weaknesses throughout. A well-coached and well-executed win for the Pistons.</p>. . . DETROIT PISTONS