Magic's Comeback Attempt Thwarted in Wire-to-Wire Loss to Pistons

The Orlando Magic reduced an 18-point deficit to a one-possession game midway through the fourth quarter, but the Detroit Pistons pulled away for a 105-96 victory.

Orlando Magic center Goga Bitadze (35) battles for the ball under the basket with Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham (2) in the second quarter at Little Caesars Arena. / Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images

It may be a new year, but the Orlando Magic followed a familiar pattern Wednesday night against the Detroit Pistons.

The Magic trailed by as many as 18 points but stormed back to make it a one-possession game multiple times midway through the fourth quarter.

While Orlando's past three victories have been comebacks of 15 or more points, this rally in the Motor City ran out of gas. The Pistons ultimately led from start to finish and beat the Magic 105-96.

Magic coach Jamahl Mosley appreciated his side's usual fight. "We turned them over 24 times for 25 points, so that gave us an opportunity.'

But the comeback fell short, Mosley said, because the Magic squandered their momentum with untimely poor shot selection and turnovers of their own. "That allowed them to get back out on the break to get some easy baskets at the rim."

The loss dropped Orlando to 20-15. Detroit's 15th win surpassed its win total for last season.

Despite turning the excessive giveaways, the Pistons shot 51.9 percent from the field, outscored the Magic 52-44 in the paint and totaled 17 second-chance points. Entering the game, Orlando was allowing an NBA-low 10.6 points per game on such opportunities.

Jalen Suggs' 24 points led the Magic. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, in a return to the city that drafted him, scored 21, hitting his first eight shots. Suggs and KCP had five of the Magic's 18 steals. Wendell Carter Jr. posted a season-high 15 points and added eight rebounds.

Detroit was led by the backcourt duo of Cade Cunningham and Jaden Ivey, who combined for 41 points on 15-of-25 shooting. With the help of three other double-digit scorers — Jalen Duren (18 points, 11 rebounds), Tobias Harris (17) and Tim Hardaway Jr. (12) — the Pistons' offense put the Magic in a hole throughout the game's early segments.

Ivey left the game in the fourth quarter after an incidental collision with Cole Anthony. Both teams huddled around the Pistons guard, who initially screamed in pain and grabbed at his left leg. He was stretchered off the floor with towels covering the injured leg.

“Just gotta pray for the young man," Mosley said. "It was heartbreaking to see that happen. I mean, you’re out there competing as best as you can and you never want to see that happen to anyone. Just my thoughts and my prayers, our thoughts and our prayers are with him, praying it’s not as bad as it looked. I pray for a speedy recovery whatever the case may be.”

Up Next

The Magic on Friday face the Toronto Raptors to complete this two-game road trip. Tipoff is 7:30 p.m. ET at Scotiabank Arena.

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