Extending Win Streak

Orlando, FL—After an emotional victory against the Lakers on Thursday evening the team returned to Orlando and secured a 111-100 victory over Detroit in this Magic vs Pistons matchup.

Injury Report: Key Players Missing on Both Sides

Detroit would come into this Pistons vs Magic matchup without their star point guard Cade Cunningham (left sacroiliac joint), and Orlando would continue to be without both Paolo Banchero (torn oblique) and Wendell Carter Jr (plantar fasciitis).

Wendell Carter Jr has been listed as questionable over the three-game road trip out West but ultimately didn’t play. Jamahl Mosley was asked pregame about his health and how he is progressing in rehab and he stated:

“He was on the court today, he’s gone through some pretty strenuous workouts. We’re gonna continue to see how he responds to those and we’ll go from there.”

Coach Bickerstaff’s Pre-Game Notes 

Pistons Head Coach JB Bickerstaff and Jamahl Mosley have a long-lasting relationship that spans over two decades and these two know each other all too well both on and off the court. Bickerstaff had mentioned prior to tonight’s game how last year’s playoff matchup between the Magic and the Cavs was beneficial to the growth of the Magic players.

“When you play in a playoff series and individually you can have some success that breeds confidence…Franz [Wagner] in particular, since Paolo has been out, he’s taken a huge step in being able to carry a team.”

The Magic could’ve come into this game overlooking the Pistons, but they came out laser-focused and took care of home court tonight.

Franz Wagner Continues Dominant Play

Franz Wagner continues his all-star form and picked up right where he left off after earning his first Eastern Conference Player of the Week last week where he averaged 30.7 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 5.7 assists. In just three quarters of play, Franz recorded a near triple-double finishing the evening with 30 points, nine rebounds, and eight assists, and shot an efficient 11 of 22 (50%) from the floor and 4 of 9 (44.4%) from deep.

“Obviously feels great, wouldn’t mean anything if we wouldn’t win these games,” Franz Wagner said of his play recently. “That’s not just me that’s everybody last couple games has been stepping up and I think we’re getting into a good rhythm and getting better each game.”

Aggressive First Half of Play

Detroit came out of the gates playing very aggressively and overall it was an extremely physical game for both teams. The Pistons did a good job of making life difficult for the Magic as they forced them into nine turnovers, eight blocks, and six steals in the first half alone. Orlando would do just enough and they led Detroit 56-53 going into the halftime locker room.

Jalen Suggs played only nine minutes tonight and did not return in the second half with a sore left hamstring. Jamahl Mosley provided an update postage and said, “Sore left hamstring so we’re gonna see how he responds to treatment.”

Wagner Brothers Propel the Magic to Victory

Franz Wagner continued his strong play scoring 12 of the Magics’ 32 points in the third period. Moe Wagner has been one of the most productive scorers off the bench in the NBA and tonight was no different finishing the night with 18 points, seven rebounds, and five assists, and he shot 7 of 11 (63%) from the floor.

“Moe [Wagner] wakes up with ten points,” Jamahl Mosley said of Moe. “He and Franz obviously the brother connection is one thing but their knowing, where guys are gonna be, the chemistry that they have, the communication that they have, just ability to play off of each other.”

Orlando would go into the fourth quarter up 88-79 before pulling away in the final period of play. Both teams in the middle of the fourth essentially emptied their benches and that continued to give minutes to second-year guard Jett Howard who recorded 15 minutes and scored 10 points tonight while knocking down two shots from long range.

“Just staying ready,” Jamahl Mosley said of Jett Howard. “I think that’s a big part of what we want him to do. Just continue to stay ready whenever his number’s called, he’s ready to go both defensively and offensively.”

Amazing Final Numbers for Orlando 

Orlando finished the Magic vs Pistons game with 111 points while shooting 40 of 87 (46%) from the field, 12 of 39 (30.8%) from deep, 19 of 22 (86.4%) from the charity stripe and they dominated inside with 52 points in the paint. Defensively they continued to be stout forcing Detroit into 17 turnovers that led to 29 points while still contributing 13 steals and nine steals.

Orlando has now won eight of their last nine games, they’ve improved to 11-7 on the season, and they remain the number three seed in the East.

Extending Win Streak

Orlando, FL—After an emotional victory against the Lakers on Thursday evening the team returned to Orlando and secured a 111-100 victory over Detroit in this Magic vs Pistons matchup.

Injury Report: Key Players Missing on Both Sides

Detroit would come into this Pistons vs Magic matchup without their star point guard Cade Cunningham (left sacroiliac joint), and Orlando would continue to be without both Paolo Banchero (torn oblique) and Wendell Carter Jr (plantar fasciitis).

Wendell Carter Jr has been listed as questionable over the three-game road trip out West but ultimately didn’t play. Jamahl Mosley was asked pregame about his health and how he is progressing in rehab and he stated:

“He was on the court today, he’s gone through some pretty strenuous workouts. We’re gonna continue to see how he responds to those and we’ll go from there.”

Coach Bickerstaff’s Pre-Game Notes 

Pistons Head Coach JB Bickerstaff and Jamahl Mosley have a long-lasting relationship that spans over two decades and these two know each other all too well both on and off the court. Bickerstaff had mentioned prior to tonight’s game how last year’s playoff matchup between the Magic and the Cavs was beneficial to the growth of the Magic players.

“When you play in a playoff series and individually you can have some success that breeds confidence…Franz [Wagner] in particular, since Paolo has been out, he’s taken a huge step in being able to carry a team.”

The Magic could’ve come into this game overlooking the Pistons, but they came out laser-focused and took care of home court tonight.

Franz Wagner Continues Dominant Play

Franz Wagner continues his all-star form and picked up right where he left off after earning his first Eastern Conference Player of the Week last week where he averaged 30.7 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 5.7 assists. In just three quarters of play, Franz recorded a near triple-double finishing the evening with 30 points, nine rebounds, and eight assists, and shot an efficient 11 of 22 (50%) from the floor and 4 of 9 (44.4%) from deep.

“Obviously feels great, wouldn’t mean anything if we wouldn’t win these games,” Franz Wagner said of his play recently. “That’s not just me that’s everybody last couple games has been stepping up and I think we’re getting into a good rhythm and getting better each game.”

Aggressive First Half of Play

Detroit came out of the gates playing very aggressively and overall it was an extremely physical game for both teams. The Pistons did a good job of making life difficult for the Magic as they forced them into nine turnovers, eight blocks, and six steals in the first half alone. Orlando would do just enough and they led Detroit 56-53 going into the halftime locker room.

Jalen Suggs played only nine minutes tonight and did not return in the second half with a sore left hamstring. Jamahl Mosley provided an update postage and said, “Sore left hamstring so we’re gonna see how he responds to treatment.”

Wagner Brothers Propel the Magic to Victory

Franz Wagner continued his strong play scoring 12 of the Magics’ 32 points in the third period. Moe Wagner has been one of the most productive scorers off the bench in the NBA and tonight was no different finishing the night with 18 points, seven rebounds, and five assists, and he shot 7 of 11 (63%) from the floor.

“Moe [Wagner] wakes up with ten points,” Jamahl Mosley said of Moe. “He and Franz obviously the brother connection is one thing but their knowing, where guys are gonna be, the chemistry that they have, the communication that they have, just ability to play off of each other.”

Orlando would go into the fourth quarter up 88-79 before pulling away in the final period of play. Both teams in the middle of the fourth essentially emptied their benches and that continued to give minutes to second-year guard Jett Howard who recorded 15 minutes and scored 10 points tonight while knocking down two shots from long range.

“Just staying ready,” Jamahl Mosley said of Jett Howard. “I think that’s a big part of what we want him to do. Just continue to stay ready whenever his number’s called, he’s ready to go both defensively and offensively.”

Amazing Final Numbers for Orlando 

Orlando finished the Magic vs Pistons game with 111 points while shooting 40 of 87 (46%) from the field, 12 of 39 (30.8%) from deep, 19 of 22 (86.4%) from the charity stripe and they dominated inside with 52 points in the paint. Defensively they continued to be stout forcing Detroit into 17 turnovers that led to 29 points while still contributing 13 steals and nine steals.

Orlando has now won eight of their last nine games, they’ve improved to 11-7 on the season, and they remain the number three seed in the East.