Daye Shoots Pistons Past Magic

Dan Savage
Director of Digital News

Daye Shoots Pistons Past Magic By John DentonJuly 10, 2012 ORLANDO – Austin Daye had a near perfect shooting night and scored 24 points as the Detroit Pistons defeated the Orlando Magic 79-74 in second-day play of the AirTran Airways Orlando Pro Summer League.
Daye, a three-year pro with the Pistons, made eight of 10 shots, hit all three of his 3-pointers and connected on five free throws to help the Pistons surge ahead in the second half.
Magic first-round draft pick Andrew Nicholson scored 13 points, while second-round pick Kyle O’Quinn added 11 points and six rebounds. Nicholson struggled from the post (five of 11 shooting) a day after scoring 24 points in his NBA debut for the Magic (1-1).
Point guard Brandon Knight had 11 points and six assists for the Pistons (2-0). Detroit first-round pick Andre Drummond was mostly outplayed by Orlando’s O’Quinn and finished with just three points and three rebounds. Kyler Singler scored 12 points for the Pistons.
The AirTran Airways Orlando Pro Summer League runs through Friday with four games each day at the Amway Center practice court. The event is closed to the public because of space reasons, but it is being televised by NBA TV. The league is designed primarily for rookies, young NBA players and undrafted free agents looking to earn invites to training camp in October.
Magic second-year forward Justin Harper had just seven points on two of 13 shooting.
Both teams struggled shooting the ball in the first half with the Pistons hitting 40.6 percent from the floor and the Magic shooting 36.8 percent. Second-year Magic forward Justin Harper missed all six of his shots in the first 20 minutes, while point guard Maalik Wayns missed all five of his attempts.
O’Quinn helped the Magic take a 38-37 lead into halftime with a stellar sequence right before intermission. He grabbed a rebound in traffic and finished over Andre Drummond for a three-point play. Seconds later, O’Quinn demanded the ball and drilled a pick-and-pop jumper with ease.
O’Quinn had 11 points and six rebounds in the opening half. And his physical defense limited Drummond to one point.
Set up for several open jumpers by the penetration of Brandon Knight, Daye carried the Pistons in the first half with 14 points. He made five of six shots, buried a 3-pointer and got to the free throw line three times.