Match well run and controlled by the Pistons facing the Magic (105-96), never being behind in the score despite a slight scare in the last quarter. On the other hand, the fear is all the followers of this part who will speak of it as such, at the moment when Jaden Ivey (22 points) injured his knee because of a collision on the ground with Cole Anthony for the ball…
Nothing to prevent Cade Cunningham (19 points, 9 assists, 8 rebounds), Jalen Duren (18 points, 11 rebounds) and others Tobias Harris (17 points, 8 rebounds) to ensure this success for their teammate. By resisting Jalen Suggs And Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (45 points to two)…
Launched in particular by Jaden Ivey and Tobias Harris, successful from afar and up close, the Pistons attack hard and quickly take a ten point lead. Despite a lot of waste with the ball, they dominate in the paint and punish at 3-points, while Cade Cunningham adds a layer, in scoring and creation, to increase the gap (65-49). Opposite, the Magic are in the tough on each side, despite Kentavious Caldwell-Pope who finds the target from long distance against his “ex”.
After the break, “KCP” remains perfect and Jalen Suggs wakes up, gradually reducing the gap. But the Cunningham/Ivey duo as well as Jalen Duren made efforts to keep Orlando at bay, while lost balls continued to plague Detroit, also less skillful after its insolent half-time. The terrible injury to Jaden Ivey will then break the rhythm, Wendell Carter Jr. supports Jalen Suggs to bring the Floridians back to within one possession…
…but Tobias Harris gets back on track at mid-distance and near the circle, Tim Hardaway Jr. accompanying him, taking heat in all registers. A “run” from the two veterans which will knock out this eye-catching Magic for good, but beaten for the sixth time in nine games. While the Pistons have won four of their last five games (105-96) to stay in the Top 10 in the East.
TO REMEMBER
– Jaden Ivey evacuated on stretcher. Horrible images of the injury of the Pistons player, whose left leg bent when Cole Anthony dove on it to recover a ball. Enough to stop the game for many minutes and thus cast a chill in the room, while the back season is probably over. And to think that his evening had been ideal so far (22 points at 8/11).
– Detroit already wins more than last season. Winners of their 15th match of the season, from January 1, the Pistons are already doing better than in 2023/24, when they had a record of 14 victories and 68 defeats. JB Bickerstaff is doing a good job in Michigan and fans can be hopeful for the future of their franchise, which has been making serious progress over the past two months. As evidenced by this game managed without too much tremor from start to finish, against an opponent who is certainly weakened but still the type to fight despite being injured.
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How to read the stats? Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D=defensive rebound; T = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; +/- = Point differential when the player is on the field; Pts = Points; Eval: player evaluation calculated from positive actions – negative actions.
