Orlando Magic Grades: Detroit Pistons 120, Orlando Magic 115
The Orlando Magic rallied to force overtime. But their shots dried up in overtime and their defense never recovered in a loss to the Detroit Pistons.
64. Final. 115. 38. 120
The Orlando Magic were in scramble mode for much of the fourth quarter, trying to erase a double-digit deficit and steal a road victory. Their defensive intensity increased for the first time and they drew even at the end of regulation, using a tough stop on Blake Griffin to get into overtime.
The Magic had relied on some hot shooting and Terrence Ross coming around screens firing for much of the night. It kept the team alive and gave it a chance.
Overtime proved to be a different story.
Nikola Vucevic missed several open shots and Orlando hit only two shots in overtime. The Detroit Pistons were able to do what they usually do. Bull their way into the paint, collect rebounds and find a way to scratch through.
Andre Drummond continued to dominate the glass, collecting 11 offensive rebounds and 22 total rebounds. That gave the Pistons all the chances they would need in a 120-115 overtime win over the Magic at Little Caesars Arena on Wednesday.
The Pistons grabbed 14 offensive rebounds for the game and a couple killer ones in overtime and late in the game. That is where a lot of this game was won and lost for the Magic. Those effort and precision plays.
Orlando struggled much of the night to contain Detroit. The Pistons made 47.8 percent of their shots 12 of their 30 3-pointers. Orlando was sinking into the paint too much and allowed Detroit to kick out to open shooters. That, along with turnovers, kept Detroit in the game.
It was the Pistons’ ability to get into the lane and push action against the Magic that got the team in trouble. Orlando struggled to reel it back in until the pressure ramped up in the fourth quarter. The Magic did their job to force overtime.
Orlando for the game could rely on its offense, shooting 50.0 percent. But they left plenty of opportunities on the board, not just all the misses in overtime. There were the six misses at the foul line and the stops they could not secure on the glass.
The Magic seemed a bit passive relying on their offense to outscore the Pistons. And that is never a formula for the team. In overtime, the shots finally stopped falling and that ended all hope for a victory.
Orlando Magic. NIKOLA VUCEVIC. B-. <a href=. C
A. <a href=. G/F. Orlando Magic. TERRENCE ROSS
C. As <a href=. F. Orlando Magic. AARON GORDON
PG. Orlando Magic. ISAIAH BRISCOE. B-. The Orlando Magic’s trial with <a href=
9th East. DETROIT PISTONS. B+. The Detroit Pistons were really struggling to get their offense moving early on. The Orlando Magic’s defense was solid and it looked like the Magic might be able to pull away and win this one, if not for their own sloppiness. That changed quickly and the Pistons showed they were ready to fight.<p>Detroit got going thanks to some hot shooting. But it was a really good strategy. Detroit worked the ball inside to Blake Griffin and Orlando looked a bit confused on how the team wanted to double and crowd him. Griffin is strong passing out of those double teams and helped the Pistons find open shooters throughout.</p><p>From there, Detroit just kept putting pressure on Orlando. And the Magic looked a bit staggered. These are still two evenly matched teams — that should be proven in their three close matchups this season. Detroit got the better end of this one thanks to timely shooting and solid work in the trenches.</p>. 19-24
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The Orlando Magic are next in action Friday as they take on the Brooklyn Nets in another critical battle of Eastern Conference Playoff contenders.