In some ways, it was acceptable for the Orlando Magic and the Detroit Pistons to open their 2022-23 seasons towards one another on Wednesday night time at Little Caesars Arena.
The Magic drafted the No. 1 choose in June’s NBA draft in Paolo Banchero of Duke whereas the Pistons had chosen Montverde Academy alum Cade Cunningham of Oklahoma State with final yr’s prime choose. Both franchises began rebuilds within the final 2½ years, have a number of youthful gifted gamers surrounding their prime picks and are among the many league’s top-four youngest groups.
The Pistons bought the higher hand Wednesday, beating the Magic 113-109 behind Bojan Bogdanović’s 24 factors (8-of-16 capturing, 6-of-10 on 3s) and Jaden Ivey’s 19 factors (8-of-15, 2-of-4 on 3s) and 4 assists within the first of 4 matchups between the rebuilding groups.
Cunningham added 18 factors (6-of-16) and 10 assists, together with the help to Isaiah Stewart for a 3-pointer to offer Detroit a 111-107 lead with 11.6 seconds remaining.
“I’m not, based on one game, measuring where we are,” Pistons coach Dwane Casey mentioned earlier than the sport. “We’re at the same level as far as where we’re at in the rebuild, so to speak. Whatever happens, it doesn’t determine who the Magic are going to be and who the Pistons are and who they’re going to be. It’s a good test for both groups because we’re very similar in where we are in our programs.”
The Magic and the Pistons completed fifteenth and 14th, respectively, within the Eastern Conference’s standings final season however are optimistic about their futures.
Surrounding Banchero are younger abilities akin to Franz Wagner, who was named to the league’s All-Rookie first group in 2021-22; Wendell Carter Jr., who’s coming off a breakout season; and Jalen Suggs, final yr’s No. 5 choose.
Banchero’s 27 factors (11-of-18 capturing) had been essentially the most scored by a No. 1 choose in a debut since Allen Iverson had 30 on Nov. 1, 1996. The Magic ahead additionally had 9 rebounds and 5 assists.
Wagner completed with 20 factors (8-of-17), 5 assists and 4 rebounds but additionally had 5 turnovers. Suggs had 21 factors (8-of-11, 4-of-6 on 3s), together with 18 within the third quarter to maintain Orlando within the recreation after Detroit scored 74 factors within the center two quarters. He fouled out within the fourth, additionally ending with 4 turnovers in 25 minutes.
The Pistons used two lottery picks to draft Ivey (No. 5) and Jalen Duren (No. 13) following final season.
“They’ve got great young talent,” Magic coach Jamahl Mosley mentioned pregame. “They’ve done a great job through the draft and developing their guys to become great young players. Similar to us, we’ve got great young talent. These guys are bonding and coming together, which is a wonderful thing to see.”
Starting guard Cole Anthony was dominated out for Wednesday’s opener due to an sickness lower than half-hour earlier than tipoff.
Anthony was initially within the Magic’s beginning lineup alongside Terrence Ross, Wagner, Banchero and Carter Jr. earlier than being dominated out.
Suggs changed Anthony as a starter.
Caleb Houstan, Bol Bol, Mo Bamba and Chuma Okeke had been a part of the Magic’s nine-man rotation within the first half. R.J. Hampton performed all 11 of his minutes within the second half to fill out the 10-man rotation.
Markelle Fultz (fractured left large toe), Gary Harris (left knee rehabilitation), Jonathan Isaac (left knee rehabilitation) and Moe Wagner (sprained proper midfoot) had been sidelined.
“I think we will keep feeling that out,” Mosley mentioned of the rotation, “to help these guys understand that we want them to get a rhythm for what’s going on in the games.”
This article first appeared on OrlandoSentinel.com. Email Khobi Price at [email protected] or observe him on Twitter at @khobi_price.
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Source: www.bostonherald.com