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Orlando Magic Grades: Orlando Magic 102, Detroit Pistons 89

By Philip Rossman-Reich

The Orlando Magic's Aaron Gordon (00) defends against the Detroit Pistons' Tobias Harris (34) in the first half at Amway Center in Orlando, Fla., on Thursday, Dec. 28, 2017. The Magic won, 102-89. (Ricardo Ramirez Buxeda/Orlando Sentinel/TNS via Getty Images)
The Orlando Magic's Aaron Gordon (00) defends against the Detroit Pistons' Tobias Harris (34) in the first half at Amway Center in Orlando, Fla., on Thursday, Dec. 28, 2017. The Magic won, 102-89. (Ricardo Ramirez Buxeda/Orlando Sentinel/TNS via Getty Images) /
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The Orlando Magic finally broke their nine-game losing streak behind a stellar defensive effort and a strong finish from their reserves.

The Orlando Magic were holding onto their lead as it seemed the storm was about to come. Tobias Harris drained a jumper and cut the lead to eight. It seemed like another collapse was imminent for the team. What in their history had shown they could hold on.

In this game alone, the starters gave up a 10-point lead in the second quarter to go into the halftime tied. There was fight and energy and effort, but it would take more. Late-game execution matters.

And so does defense. Another thing the Magic have lacked for some time now.

To break a nine-game losing streak, Orlando would have to overturn a lot of history this season. They would have to transform themselves as a team. Make those plays and show that determination they had been missing.

In one quick moment, it all changed. The Magic never let up and never took their foot off the gas pedal.

Bismack Biyombo deflected a lob for Andre Drummond and the Magic got out in transition. Bismack Biyombo ran with them and took a lob, Euro-stepping past the defenders and to the rim for a dunk.

A lot of guys were doing things that were seemingly out of character. But that is what has to happen to score a victory — a 102-89 victory over the Detroit Pistons at Amway Center on Thursday to end a nine-game losing streak.

The Magic got stellar performances from throughout the roster. Especially Marreese Speights who scored 12 of his 16 points in the second half, sparking the Magic’s run to take control of the game in the third and fourth quarters. Unlike Tuesday’s loss to the Miami Heat, the Orlando Magic did not give up the rope. Instead, their defense locked down more, giving up just 16 points and 5-for-20 shooting.

Orlando made the winning plays every team has to if they want to win. Including that Biyombo deflection and Euro-step. There were a lot of other plays that helped the Magic dig out a much-needed and long-awaited win.

A-. <a href=. PG. Orlando Magic. ELFRID PAYTON

B. The Orlando Magic ran the first play to get <a href=. PF. Orlando Magic. AARON GORDON

Orlando Magic. MARREESE SPEIGHTS. B+. <a href=. C

C-. The talk for much of the first half as the Orlando Magic gave up a 14-0 run to temporarily give up the lead was a play that may end up in SportsCenter’s Not Top 10. The kind of play that coach <a href=. F. Orlando Magic. MARIO HEZONJA

The Detroit Pistons clearly will need some feeling out to get past the injury to <a rel=. 19-15. 4th East. DETROIT PISTONS. C

The Orlando Magic will look to build a winning streak as they get a second-chance game against the Miami Heat at Amway Center on Saturday.