Magic-Pistons Preview

By KATE HEDLIN
Posted Jan 01 2012 11:40PM

Dwight Howard said he wanted some help in Orlando if he is going to stick around. The Magic may have found that piece in the surprising Ryan Anderson.

Howard, Anderson and the Magic look to win their fifth straight as they visit the Detroit Pistons on Monday night.

The All-Star center's future in Orlando may be in question, but he's been playing extremely well through the continuing trade talks. After grabbing 24 rebounds in each of the previous two games, he recorded his third straight double-double with 19 points and 15 rebounds in a 102-96 come-from-behind win over Toronto on Sunday.

As well as Howard played, it was Anderson who sparked the rally, hitting two 3-pointers during a 16-0 run in the final period. The Magic (4-1) trailed by 16 at one point.

"We sort of could've just given up, but we kept pushing through it," Anderson said. "This was huge for us."

The fourth-year forward was the last addition to Orlando's starting lineup, winning the job over Glen Davis. He started 20 games the previous two seasons and averaged 10.6 points in 2010-11. Still, coach Stan Van Gundy predicted big things from Anderson, and so far he's right.

Anderson is averaging a team-high 20.4 points and shooting 46.7 percent from 3-point range (21 of 45). He connected on five 3-pointers for a second straight game Sunday, finishing with 24 points.

With Howard, who is averaging 17.4 points and 17.0 rebounds, and Anderson leading the way, the Magic have averaged 100.0 points since opening the season with a 97-89 loss at Oklahoma City on Dec. 25.

While Howard is working inside, Anderson has opened up things outside as the Magic have hit 24 3-pointers in the last two victories.

Monday will be the third set of back-to-backs this season for Orlando, which has won the previous two.

The Magic will try to keep things going against a rebuilding Detroit team that has had some struggles on defense.

After opening the season giving up 97.3 points in three consecutive losses, the Pistons (1-3) defeated Indiana 96-88 on Saturday.

Its previous two opponents shot better than 52.0 percent, but Detroit held the Pacers to 39.5 percent shooting.

The Pistons' best defensive night not surprisingly led to one of their better offensive performances. After averaging 84.3 points and shooting 41.3 percent in the first three games, they scored their most points while shooting a season-best 47.6 percent.

Jonas Jerebko recorded 20 points and 12 rebounds, helping Detroit finish with a 49-36 advantage on the boards. The Pistons were outrebounded in two of their first three games by an average of 13.5 boards.

Second-year center Greg Monroe had 19 points and 11 rebounds for his first double-double.

"It's great playing with Greg," said Jerebko, who is averaging 13.8 points and 7.0 rebounds after missing all of last season with a torn Achilles' tendon. "He was a rookie last year and I was hurt, so we're still getting used to each other's games, but once we get that time together, it is going to be great."

The Magic won two of three against the Pistons last season and have won their last two visits to Detroit.

Pistons clamp down on D to beat Magic 89-78

By NOAH TRISTER
Posted Jan 03 2012 1:17AM

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. (AP) Dwight Howard caught the ball next to the basket and looked as if he was going up for another dunk - then Detroit's Jason Maxiell came up from behind and smacked the ball away from the Orlando star.

The Pistons are still a work in progress, but new coach Lawrence Frank liked what he saw from his team on defense in an 89-78 win over the Magic on Monday night.

"It's another step in a season where we're going to have to continue to take many, many steps to get to where we want to go," Frank said. "For tonight, it's definitely a step in a positive direction."

Ben Gordon scored 26 points, and the Pistons overcame some early foul trouble. Rodney Stuckey and Tayshaun Prince scored 14 points apiece for Detroit, which has won two in a row after losing its first three games of the season.

Howard had 19 points, seven rebounds and five steals before fouling out with 2:46 remaining on an illegal screen.

Orlando (4-2) was playing a night after rallying to beat Toronto, but the Magic were outplayed by Detroit in the second half.

"We can't make any excuses," Howard said. "They played harder than we did, and that's why we lost."

Orlando shot 44 percent from the field and 8 of 22 from 3-point range. Hedo Turkoglu and Ryan Anderson each scored 13 points for the Magic.

Frank is in his first season as Detroit's coach, and the Pistons have held the opposition to 88 points or fewer in three of their first five games. Orlando's previous season low in scoring was 89 points in its opener against Oklahoma City.

Howard threw down a powerful early dunk and went on to score 12 points in the first half. Meanwhile, Detroit's big men struggled to remain on the court with him. Greg Monroe picked up his second foul just 4:55 into the first quarter. Maxiell replaced him and picked up two in 83 seconds.

Maxiell had four fouls by the end of the first half, but Gordon scored 17 points in the first two quarters to keep it close. Orlando led 46-44 at halftime.

By midway through the third, Monroe's foul count was up to four, but Maxiell was ready to step in. His big block on Howard was a highlight.

"I was trying to foul him, really. It worked out in my favor," Maxiell said. "I think it was all ball."

Gordon gave the Pistons a 66-60 lead late in the quarter when his forced 3-pointer at the end of the shot clock went in.

Early in the fourth, Detroit rookie Brandon Knight missed from outside but was able to grab an offensive rebound and lay the ball in after Ben Wallace kept it alive. The Pistons led 72-65 at that point, and Orlando called a timeout to regroup.

"I think what changed the game was Jason Maxiell and Ben Wallace," Frank said. "They brought a ruggedness to us, a toughness, a physical inside presence."

Wallace played 20:18 and didn't attempt a shot, but he had five rebounds and five steals.

Chris Duhon made a 3-pointer for Orlando to make it 72-68, but the Magic could pull no closer than four points late in the game. They trailed 85-78 when Jameer Nelson missed from outside with about a minute remaining, and the Pistons had no trouble closing the game out from there.

"We didn't play any defense and we didn't rebound. I think we ran out of gas offensively, but we never made any commitment to defense," Orlando coach Stan Van Gundy said. "I'm amazed we were even in shouting distance down the stretch."

Monroe capped Detroit's victory with a breakaway dunk with 29 seconds to play.

Notes: The Pistons outrebounded Orlando 39-28. ... Monroe had 10 points and nine rebounds in 22:35. Maxiell had nine points in 16:02. ... Orlando hosts Washington on Wednesday night. That same evening, Detroit hosts Chicago in former Piston Richard Hamilton's scheduled return to Auburn Hills as a member of the Bulls. Hamilton was a late scratch in Chicago's game Monday because of a groin injury.

Notebook: Pistons 89, Magic 78

By Dana Gauruder, for NBA.com
Posted Monday January 2, 2012 11:47PM

THE FACTS: Ben Gordon had a season-high 26 points and six assists and the Detroit Pistons held the Orlando Magic to 32 second-half points in an 89-78 victory at the Palace Monday night. Dwight Howard led the Magic with 19 points but had just seven after halftime and fouled out with 2:46 remaining.

QUOTABLE: "I'm just trying to make my teammates better. A lot of guys are looking for me to score, so I'm just trying to mix it up. I'm taking shots when I'm open and trying to create plays for other people to make the game a little bit easier."
-- Pistons guard Gordon on his all-around offensive performance

THE STAT: 5 baskets, 5.turnovers The Magic shot 5 of 17 from the field during the fourth quarter (29.4 percent) and committed five turnovers. Orlando had been averaging 97.8 points during its 4-1 start but were outhustled and outworked throughout the second half.

TURNING POINT: Pistons reserve frontcourt players Jason Maxiell and Ben Wallace rarely contribute offensively but they made a major impact with their aggressive defensive play Monday. After second-year center Greg Monroe picked up his fourth foul midway through the third, Detroit's veteran duo clamped down on Howard and disrupted the Magic's pick-and-roll plays. Wallace had five steals and Maxiell blocked a Howard shot from behind.

QUOTABLE II: "He's a one-man fast break. He's our attacker." -- Pistons coach Lawrence Frank on guard Rodney Stuckey, who scored 10 of his 14 points from the free throw line.

HOT: Gordon, coming off two disappointing seasons with Detroit, is averaging a team-best 18 points while shooting 44.3 percent from the field. Gordon made 8 of 15 attempts Monday and also hit 8 of 9 free throws. He feels more relaxed because Frank is using a three-guard rotation, which ensures him steady minutes.

NOT: Magic guards Jason Richardson, Jameer Nelson and JJ Redick combined for 16 points on 5 of 20 shooting. They missed all seven of their 3-point attempts. "I don't know if we did anything good," Magic coach Stan Van Gundy said.

GOOD MOVE: Frank said before the game he was more concerned with guarding the perimeter than Howard having a big night. After some early foul trouble, the Pistons' big men neutralized Howard while their small forwards and guards contested enough 3-pointers to make the Magic shoot 36.4 percent beyond the arc.

BAD MOVE: Magic coach Stan Van Gundy played Howard 43 minutes Sunday against Toronto and never gave him a rest during the second half Monday until he fouled out. Howard clearly wore down, as he committed all three of his turnovers and five of his fouls after halftime.

NOTABLE: The Pistons, who have won two straight after an 0-3 start, outrebounded the Magic 39-28. ... Tayshaun Prince had 14 points and rookie Brandon Knight added eight off the bench for Detroit. ... All four of Magic forward Hedo Turkoglu's baskets were 3-pointers.

UP NEXT: For the Magic, Wednesday vs. Washington, Friday vs. Chicago, Sunday @ Sacramento. For the Pistons, Wednesday vs. Chicago, Friday @ Philadelphia, Saturday vs. New York.

• Magic: Liggins, Orton
• Pistons: --

• Magic: --
• Pistons: --

• Lead Changes: 11
• Times Tied: 5

• Arena: Palace of Auburn Hills, Detroit, MI
• Officials: #25 Tony Brothers, #7 Kevin Fehr, #36 David Jones
• Attendance: 8120
• Duration: 2:19