The Lead
Jalen Suggs led a franchise-matching-high eight Orlando players in double figures with 18 points, Cole Anthony scored 17, and Franz Wagner had 16, as the Orlando Magic used balanced scoring and a strong defensive effort to roll past the Detroit Pistons 128-102 on Sunday at Amway Center.
Interesting Notes
It was the fourth time this season and 14th time in franchise history that eight Magic players scored in double figures. The other times this season they did it were on Dec. 14 against Atlanta, on Jan. 4 against OKC, and on March 26 against Brooklyn. Also, the 26-point win was Orlando’s largest margin of victory this season.
Key Stretch
The Magic used a 23-4 second-quarter run to blow the game open. Anthony and Suggs each scored five of their points during that stretch. Detroit’s only made field goal in that time was a Killian Hayes floater.
Key Stats
The Magic shot 57.3 percent from the field, their third-best mark this season, and 51.5 percent from 3-point range, fourth best. They made a season-tying high 17 3-pointers, with the other time being on Dec. 23 against San Antonio.
Interesting Fact
Sunday’s attendance at Amway Center was 19,431, the fourth largest in Magic history. The record is 19,482, set Dec. 27, 2022 against the L.A. Lakers.
Injury Report
Kevon Harris (left elbow bruise) and Jonathan Isaac (left adductor surgery) were out for the Magic. Admiral Schofield sprained his right ankle with 42 seconds left and didn’t return. Bojan Bogdanovic (left Achilles; Tendinopathy), Alec Burks (left foot soreness), Cade Cunningham (left tibia; stress fracture), Hamidou Diallo (right ankle sprain), Rodney McGruder (right foot sprain), and Isaiah Stewart (left shoulder impingement) were unavailable for the Pistons.
This Day in History
The Magic’s second largest victory in franchise history took place on April 2, 1999 when they beat the Chicago Bulls by 47. Penny Hardaway, then in his final season with the Magic, scored 24 points and Dominique Wilkins, playing in his final NBA season, had 19 points. Only three Bulls players scored in double figures, including Toni Kukoc, who had 13 points.
Rivals Report
It’s hard to evaluate the Pistons considering they didn’t have Cunningham, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft, for nearly the entire season. We also must wait and see where they end up picking in this year’s draft. With that said, they have several promising young players, including Jaden Ivey, Jalen Duren, and James Wiseman, acquired by Detroit at the trade deadline from Golden State. At some point, and perhaps it’s this summer, they must determine which of their young players they want to commit to long term.
Up Next
The Magic will wrap up their home portion of their schedule with back-to-back games against the Cleveland Cavaliers. The first one is set for Tuesday at 7 p.m. The Cavs won each of the first two meetings, both in Cleveland, against the Magic this season. On Oct. 26, Evan Mobley led the Cavs with 20 points and Jarrett Allen had 18 points and 16 rebounds. Paolo Banchero paced the Magic with 29 points. On Dec. 2, Donovan Mitchell erupted for 34 points, while Mobley had 19 points and 13 rebounds. Banchero scored 22 for Orlando.
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Author: Josh Cohen
April 2, 2023 | 8:58 PM
