Magic-Pistons Preview

By MATT BEARDMORE
Posted Apr 02 2012 4:26PM

Glen Davis delivered a big effort in Orlando's last game, but the Magic know they can't replace center Dwight Howard in the post. The Magic could soon find out what impact Ryan Anderson's absence will have on their perimeter shooting.

With Howard and Anderson questionable due to injuries, Orlando will try to avoid a season high-tying fourth consecutive loss Tuesday night when they visit the Detroit Pistons.

Since drafting Howard first overall in 2004, the Magic (32-21) have been without their superstar center just eight times - four of which were due to injury. Sunday's 104-101 home loss to Denver did little to boost Orlando's confidence that it can win without Howard, who was dealing with back spasms and missed his first game of the season.

Davis scored 18 points and grabbed a career-best 16 rebounds in Howard's place, but the Nuggets shot 55.6 percent - the highest by a Magic opponent this season - and scored 44 points in the paint as Orlando played without the three-time reigning defensive player of the year.

"You just can't fill those shoes when you are missing your best player and the best defensive player in the league," point guard Jameer Nelson told the Magic's official website after scoring a season-best 27 points.

While coach Stan Van Gundy still contends Howard's injury is the result of a punch in the back by Dallas' Brendan Haywood during Friday's 100-98 loss, Orlando has new concerns after Anderson - the league leader in 3-pointers (150) and attempts (363) - suffered a sprained right ankle in Sunday's final minutes.

X-rays were negative and Anderson said the sprain is in a "good spot." The Magic, though, could give him the night off as they try to avoid matching a four-game skid from Jan. 26-30.

Anderson has missed one game in 2011-12, a 93-67 loss at New Orleans on Jan. 27 because of a sore left calf.

"It's the end of the season, going down the stretch, and we've got to help each other out," said Davis, who could be matched up with Pistons center Greg Monroe. "... Everybody has to fill their role now because we need it."

That's especially true considering the Magic are clinging to one of the top four seeds and home-court advantage in the opening round of the playoffs. They lead fifth-place Indiana by a half game.

The Pistons (19-33) trail eighth-place New York by 7 1/2 games, but they should enter this contest with plenty of confidence following Saturday's 110-107 overtime victory over Charlotte. With Rodney Stuckey (sore left hamstring) out a second straight game and Ben Gordon (sore right groin) missing his third in a row, Detroit forced overtime after trailing by eight with less than two minutes remaining.

Brandon Knight made two 3s during this stretch, while Will Bynum hit a game-tying 3 with 15.7 seconds left.

"It's a credit to Will that he stayed ready and when his number was called he delivered tonight," coach Lawrence Frank said.

Gordon returned to practice Monday and is expected to play Tuesday, but Stuckey will likely sit again.

Gordon had a team-high 26 points in a 89-78 home win over Orlando on Jan. 2 and Stuckey added 14 as the Pistons won their second in a row in this series after losing the previous five.

Detroit is 7-2 in its last nine at home, while Orlando has dropped four of six on the road.

Pistons beat short-handed Magic 102-95

By NOAH TRISTER
Posted Apr 03 2012 11:12PM

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. (AP) Early last season, the Orlando Magic came into the Palace with four key players sidelined because of a stomach virus.

They beat the Pistons anyway - so when Orlando arrived short-handed again Tuesday night, Detroit's Tayshaun Prince reminded his teammates.

"I brought that up," Prince said. "When guys are out, you can't say, `OK, this is going to be an easy night for us, and we should be able to do whatever we want.' So I let that be known to those guys before the game."

Heeding Prince's warning, the Pistons pulled away in the fourth quarter for a 102-95 victory over Orlando. Greg Monroe had 22 points and 11 rebounds, and Ben Gordon added 18 points for Detroit.

The Magic were without starters Dwight Howard, Jameer Nelson and Ryan Anderson because of injuries.

"All you can do is play against the guys that they put in front of you," Detroit coach Lawrence Frank said. "We did enough good things to come out with the win."

Prince and Jason Maxiell scored 15 points apiece, and Jonas Jerebko contributed 13 for the Pistons. Detroit shot 12 of 18 from the field in the fourth quarter.

Glen Davis, who started at center in Howard's place, led Orlando with a career-high 31 points. The Magic have lost four straight, equaling their longest skid of the season.

"We don't play any defense. Dwight would obviously help, but we don't guard," Magic coach Stan Van Gundy said. "We don't guard when Dwight is on the floor and we don't guard when Dwight is off the floor. If that doesn't change in the next three weeks, we aren't going anywhere."

Orlando managed only four offensive rebounds without Howard, who was out with back spasms. Nelson had a sore left calf and Anderson has been bothered by a sprained right ankle.

Detroit guard Rodney Stuckey missed the game with a sore left hamstring.

The Pistons led 50-47 at halftime and scored the first eight points of the third quarter, taking an 11-point lead on two free throws by Monroe. Orlando rallied quickly and even took the lead before the quarter was over. It was 74-all heading into the fourth.

Detroit opened the final quarter with seven straight points - a 3-pointer by Jerebko and baskets by Monroe and Brandon Knight. The Pistons then pushed their advantage into double digits again, eventually leading 91-78 after a baseline shot by Jerebko.

It was 93-87 when Monroe made a tough catch inside and had his layup roll around the rim and in, causing Van Gundy to grab the back of his head in exasperation.

Prince's putback made it 97-89 - with Howard's absence hurting Orlando until the very end.

Maxiell gave Detroit a lift with his energy, opening the game with a dunk and making a nice play in the third quarter when he saved a ball from going out of bounds at the offensive end and then took a pass for a layup.

Monroe, meanwhile, was an efficient 9 of 11 from the field. The 6-foot-11 center made an athletic play in the third when he came up with a steal at midcourt and went all the way for a breakaway dunk and a 68-61 lead.

"That's his signature move," Frank joked. "It's a surprise. We unleash it in the second half."

Frank then began mimicking a baseball coach giving signals to a batter.

"We're going to have to change the call," Frank said. "He's getting too good at it."

NOTES: Detroit's Ben Wallace surpassed 7,000 defensive rebounds. "I've played with some guys that missed a lot of shots," he said. ... Orlando's J.J. Redick was called for a technical foul in the second quarter. ... The Pistons outscored the Magic 56-30 in the paint.

Notebook: Pistons 102, Magic 95

Posted Tuesday April 3, 2012 11:32PM

By Dana Gauruder, for NBA.com

THE FACTS: Center Greg Monroe had 22 points and 11 rebounds, his 26th double-double this season, as the Detroit Pistons downed the depleted Orlando Magic, 102-95, Tuesday night at The Palace. Guard Ben Gordon contributed 18 points, seven assists and six rebounds for the Pistons, who won for the fourth time in five games. Center Glen Davis scored a career-high 31 points for the Magic, which lost its fourth straight. Orlando's three top scorers -- All-Star Dwight Howard (back), Ryan Anderson (ankle) and Jameer Nelson (calf) -- missed the game with assorted injuries.

QUOTABLE: "We struggled early with a lot of things but we're now playing a lot better. Our chemistry is a lot better. Early in the season, we probably wouldn't have been able to close this game out."
-- Forward Tayshaun Prince on the Pistons going 16-13 after a 4-20 start.

THE STAT: 7,000. Pistons reserve center Ben Wallace grabbed the 7,000th defensive rebound of his career during the second quarter. He became the 21st player in NBA history to reach that mark. Kevin Garnett (10,220), Tim Duncan (9,171) and Dirk Nowitzki (7,400) are the only active players with more defensive rebounds than Wallace (7,003).

TURNING POINT: Sparked by their second unit, the Pistons went on a 17-4 run at the start of the fourth quarter, turning a 74-74 tie into a 91-78 lead. Forward Jonas Jerebko scored seven of his 13 points during that span, including a 3-pointer to open the quarter. Guards Brandon Knight and Will Bynum added two baskets apiece.

QUOTABLE II: "It just says I've played with guys who have missed a lot of shots." -- Wallace with his playful response to his rebounding feat.

HOT: Davis has been disappointed with his playing time but took advantage of extended minutes with Orlando's top frontcourt players out of action. He shot 11-for-22 from the field and made his second 3-pointer of the season. He also went 8-for-10 from the free throw line and added 10 rebounds and three steals. His previous career high was 24 points against Memphis on March 21, 2009 when he played for Boston.

NOT: The Magic needed big nights from their shooting guards to make up for the holes in the lineup but Jason Richardson and J.J. Redick shot mostly blanks. Richardson had 10 points and Redick contributed just four. They were a combined 1-for-9 on 3-point attempts.

GOOD MOVE: The Pistons didn't care who scored, thriving by making the extra pass. They shot 56.6 percent from the field and outscored the Magic 56-30 in the paint as six players reached double figures. They also racked up 25 assists with five players making at least three.

BAD MOVE: Orlando small forward Hedo Turkoglu looked like he'd have a big night when he scored 11 points in the first quarter. But the Magic didn't ride the hot hand, as Turkoglu attempted just three more shots and finished with 16 points.

NOTABLE: Detroit has won 12 of the last 15 meetings against Orlando at The Palace. ... With Orlando's top two rebounders sidelined, the Pistons enjoyed a 45-30 rebounding advantage. ... Orlando's four-game losing streak ties its season high... Gordon had missed the last three games with a groin injury. Guard Rodney Stuckey (hamstring) was sidelined for the third straight game. ... Knight, who played for Kentucky last season, was thrilled to see his Wildcats and coach John Calipari win the national championship Monday. "I'm just excited for him, knowing he finally got people to stop talking that for him to be a good coach, he needed a championship," he said. "He finally did that and now he can move on and get even more."

UP NEXT: For the Magic, Thursday vs. New York, Saturday @ Philadelphia, Monday vs. Detroit. For the Pistons, Thursday vs. Washington, Friday @ Atlanta, Sunday @ Miami.

• Magic: Anderson, Nelson
• Pistons: Macklin

• Magic: Redick
• Pistons: --

• Lead Changes: 16
• Times Tied: 8

• Arena: Palace of Auburn Hills, Detroit, MI
• Officials: #19 James Capers, #65 Sean Wright, #75 Eric Dalen
• Attendance: 16741
• Duration: 2:10