Throughout the Orlando Magic’s current sizzling streak, successful eight of their earlier 10 video games coming into Wednesday’s 121-101 loss on the Detroit Pistons, they’ve used their protection to gas their offense.
That made Tuesday’s loss 129-110 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers at Amway Center disappointing. Coach Jamahl Mosley and Markelle Fultz mentioned the Magic allowed missed pictures to have an effect on their protection towards the Lakers.
The similar appeared to occur towards the league-worst Pistons.
The Magic (13-23) shot 41% from the sector (35 of 85) and 22.7% on 3s (5 of twenty-two) Wednesday, which appeared to have impacted their defensive effort.
They allowed the Pistons (9-28) to go 18 of 42 on 3-pointers and dedicated 26 private fouls, resulting in Detroit making 31 of 40 free throw makes an attempt.
Orlando achieved what it prioritizes probably the most — defending the paint (24 allowed) — however didn’t make the mandatory efforts to shut out to shooters, particularly within the second quarter through which the Magic have been outscored 39-24.
Alec Burks led the Pistons with 32 factors off the bench on 10-of-11 taking pictures, together with 6 of seven on 3s. Saddiq Bey additionally knocked down six 3s, scoring 28 factors.
Wednesday was a chance for the Magic to get proper defensively after having the league’s fifth-best defensive ranking (109) of their earlier 10 video games, however they turned in one other lackluster efficiency for his or her second consecutive loss.
Moe Wagner was amongst three gamers ejected for his or her roles within the altercation throughout the second quarter.
Wagner was assessed a Flagrant Foul Penalty 2, which ends up in an ejection, for shoving Pistons guard Killian Hayes into Detroit’s bench on the sideline as Hayes was trying to chase down a unfastened ball in Orlando’s backcourt with 33.2 seconds remaining within the first half.
The heated turmoil between the groups broke out after Wagner’s shove.
Hamidou Diallo elbowed Wagner within the again in entrance of the Pistons’ bench earlier than Hayes hit Wagner at the back of the pinnacle together with his forearm, resulting in Wagner falling ahead into the bench.
The total Pistons’ roster surrounded Wagner earlier than the Magic’s practically total bench — gamers and coaches — ran over to the Pistons’ facet, resulting in heated shoving and phrases exchanged.
A pair of Pistons assistant coaches coated Wagner up throughout the altercation earlier than he was helped again to his ft and walked off the court docket.
The officers reviewed the altercation for practically 10 minutes earlier than Wagner, Diallo, and Hayes have been ejected.
Diallo and Hayes have been deemed escalators of the confrontation and given technical fouls, ensuing of their ejections.
Wednesday was the primary matchup between the Magic and the Pistons since Orlando misplaced to Detroit to open the season on Oct. 19.
“We’ve grown a ton,” Mosley responded when requested pregame how Orlando has grown since opening evening. “Obviously, getting our guards back in the fold is a huge deal. Our decision-making has gotten better. Our defense has gotten better. Other than last night, we’ve made tremendous strides defensively.”
The Magic once more began Markelle Fultz, Franz Wagner, Paolo Banchero, Bol Bol and Moe Wagner vs. the Pistons.
Mosley mentioned Wendell Carter Jr. remained on a minutes restriction however that he’d look to play him a few extra minutes Wednesday after enjoying 19 minutes Tuesday.
Carter had 16 factors and eight rebounds in 24 minutes Wednesday.
“He’s performed great in the role he’s in right now, just trying to get himself back into shape. We’ll ramp up the minutes as each game goes on. He’s finding his way and finding his groove after being out,” the coach mentioned.
Jonathan Isaac, Chuma Okeke and Jalen Suggs remained out.
Isaac was assigned to the group’s G League workforce, the Lakeland Magic, for practices Tuesday.
This article first appeared on OrlandoSentinel.com. Email Khobi Price at [email protected] or comply with him on Twitter at @khobi_price.
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Source: www.bostonherald.com