GAMETIME: Detroit Pistons 116 - Orlando Magic 92
November 2, 2007 - Amway Arena
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Postgame Quotes |
Recap |
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By Nick Adams | OrlandoMagic.com
RECAP
Despite playing back-to-back games and missing their leading scorer, Detroit came into Amway Arena and pounded the Magic by a score of 116-92. Orlando held a 30-28 lead to end the first but Detroit outscored the Magic 36-25 in the second and never looked back.
Detroit (2-0) had six players in double figures led by 19 points from Flip Murray off the bench. As a whole, the Piston's bench outscored the Magic's 45-17.
Rashard Lewis once again led the Magic scoring 21 points and Dwight Howard added another double-double tallying 16 points and 13 rebounds.
The Magic had an off shooting night going 40 percent from the field and 67 percent from the free-throw line.
Orlando (1-1) has to make a quick recovery as they head for Washington D.C. where they will face the Wizards tomorrow night.
FOURTH QUARTER
Jarvis Hayes begins the fourth with a three and Lewis hits a pair from the line to make the score 94-80 Detroit. The fourth quarter is a bit sluggish for both teams as fatigue begins to set in after a hard fought three quarters. Despite the intense action, my attention is drawn to a guy to the right of me who is sporting a pink sports coat and is looking around to see if anyone notices how extremely cool he looks. If I didn't have to keep you updated on this game, I would walk over to him and inform him that Halloween was two nights ago.
The Pistons have outscored the Magic 10-2 to start the fourth and have a commanding 101-80 lead with seven minutes to go in the game. Lewis buckets a pair of free-throws but the Pistons have another answer as Prince hits a fadeaway. McDyess finishes with a nice dish from Murray and Stan is furious as the Magic call a timeout. The Pistons lead comfortably 105-82.
J.J Redick enters the ballgame to a big ovation from the Orlando fans who haven't left to beat the I-4 traffic. Ariza and Howard split a pair of free-throws but the Pistons answer yet again increasing their lead to 109-84 with just under five minutes left. Dooling and Ariza string together back-to-back buckets but too little too late for the Magic as Lewis and Howard check out symbolically waving Orlando's white flag.
Rasheed exits the game to a chorus of boos which he welcomes but he continues to argue calls from the bench up by nearly 30 in the fourth.
James Augustine gets his first points of the season as the Pistons lead 112-90 at the two mintue warning. The Pistons will end up with six players in double figures tonight as the game ends and Detroit wins for the ninth straight time against the Magic by a score of 116-92.
Final: Detroit Pistons 116, Orlando Magic 92
THIRD QUARTER
Rashard Lewis leads all scorers through two quarters of play with 14 points. Both the Magic and Pistons are shooting well from the field with Orlando shooting 51 percent and the Pistons shooting 64 percent. Each team opens the half with their starters as Billups starts the half with a three and the Pistons lead is up to double digits. McDyess hits a jumper and Shed hits a three giving the Pistons an 8-0 lead to begin the half. Timeout Van Gundy.
Well, this will be a good test for a young Magic team who finds themselves down big and visibly frustrated. Perhaps the most annoying chant in sports, "Deeeeeeetroit Baaaaaaasketball", is yelled by a Pistons fan directly behind me as Afflalo makes it a 10-0 run. Nelson ends the run with a pair of free-throws but the Magic still trail 74-57. Bogans hits a three with the shot clock at zero bringing some life to the Amway crowd with eight minutes left in the third. Lewis gets fouled in the act of shooting a three by Shed who always has a comment afterwards. Lewis makes all three as the Magic claw back into the game at 74-63.
The teams trade baskets and Turkoglu hits a three to bring the Magic within ten at 80-70 with five remaining in the quarter. The intensity in this game is overwhelming for the second game of the season.
Ariza is fouled hard by Jarvis Hayes and you just get a feeling that there is bound to be a fight. The tension of the game is bearing down on the 17,000 people packed into the arena. The Magic head to the line but are struggling missing three out of their last four. Turk nails a three to cut the lead back to 10 at 84-74 with just under three minutes left in the third. A much needed timeout as everyone needs to take a deep breath.
Each team has four players in double figures with Billups and Lewis leading the way with 18 and 17 points respectively. Howard splits a pair of free-throws as the Magic are six of their last seven from the charity stripe. Back-to-back buckets by the Pistons bumps the Detroit lead back to 89-75. Detroit coach Flip Saunders receives a technical and Turk makes the free-throw. Flip Murray with a transition dunk with under a minute left and the Pistons leading 91-78. Hedo misses two free-throws as the Magic's free-throw woes continue ending a hectic third quarter.
End of the Third: Detroit Pistons 91, Orlando Magic 78
SECOND QUARTER
The teams trade baskets to start the second and the game is tied at 34 two minutes into the quarter. The Magic start the second with Lewis and Howard on the bench who have 10 and 8 points respectively. Each team is shooting the ball well early converting on nearly 60 percent of their attempts. Flip Murray breaks the tie with a three-pointer giving the Pistons a 37-34 lead. Prince takes the ball in transition and gets a questionable continuation call against Dooling forcing a timeout with Prince's Pistons leading 39-34 with eight minutes to go in the half.
Prince finishes the three-point play but Howard quickly answers with another poster worthy dunk also drawing a Piston foul. Howard converts the three-point play. Nelson finds an open Keith Bogans who strokes a three from the corner but the Pistons answer with one of their own to take a 43-30 lead with just under seven minutes left in the half.
Nelson hits a pair of free-throws to cut the lead to one as Rashard Lewis checks back into the game. Bogans is a perfect 3-for-3 from beyond the arc as he nets another triple from the corner but Shed answers with one of this own. Each team is shooting well from downtown with the Magic 5-for-7 and the Pistons 3-for-5. Rashard Lewis does his best Rasheed Wallace impression by picking up a technical foul which leads to a free-throw and a made basket giving the Pistons a 51-48 lead with 4:36 left in the second.
Maxiell completes a three-point play as the pace of the game slowly begins to swing in the Pistons favor. The Pistons begin to go on a little run and the Magic have gone cold causing Van Gundy to call a timeout as the Pistons have their largest lead of the game at 58-49.
Lewis makes an important bucket out of the timeout but Shed answers with one of this own. The tension in this building is growing as Bogans and Afflalo get tangled up. The mental toughness of this young Magic team will be tested tonight as the Pistons seem to be dictating this game. The half closes with a Billups bucket giving Detroit a 64-55 lead through two.
Halftime: Detroit Pistons 64, Orlando Magic 55
FIRST QUARTER
The Magic win the opening tip and Dwight Howard gets things going with a bucket down low. The pace of the game starts out in the Magic's favor as they come down and hit open jumpers, a three by Turk, a jumper by Rashard, and a dunk by Dwight on a nice feed from Turk. The Magic lead 13-9 early in a track meet.
The Magic started the game with the same unit as they did in game one with Nelson, Bogans, Turkoglu, Lewis, and Howard. The Pistons counter with Billups, Afflalo, Prince, Wallace, and McDyess.
Bogans and Lewis keep the Orlando three parade going with back-to-back threes forcing a timeout from the Pistons with the Magic leading 19-13 with just under six minutes left in the first quarter.
I apologize for the lack in detail for the first part of the game, but our wireless network took an early dinner break. Figures on the night where the pace and energy of the game has been at its highest all season that it would fail me. Oh well, no excuses, play like a champion.
The Magic carry over Wednesday's intensity on the defensive floor as Howard swats a Rasheed shot and then comes down the other end and nets a baby hook. McDyess with back-to-back hoops tieing the ballgame at 21 with three minutes left in the first.
Carlos Arroyo checks in for Nelson and gets into the action by putting a flashing move on the Pistons defense resulting in a layup. The big three for the Magic (Howard, Lewis, and Turkoglu) have scored 18 of the Magic's first 23 points.
The Magic lead 23-21 with two mintues remaining as Tayshaun Prince splits a pair of free-throws cutting the Magic lead to one. Flip Murray puts the Pistons ahead with a transition hoop but Keyon Dooling comes off the bench and gives the lead back to the Magic at 25-24. The crowd erupts as Howard posterizes Jason Maxiell on a nice feed from Arroyo. After a pair of Billups free-throws the Magic control the ball with 45 seconds left but Lewis misses a hook. Billups comes down the other end and scores giving the Pistons a 28-27 advantage. The Magic hold for the last shot of the quarter as Lewis gets fouled in the act of shooting a three-pointer. Lewis makes all three and the Magic lead 30-28 to end the first.
End of First Quarter: Orlando Magic 30, Detroit Pistons 28
TIP-OFF
Welcome back Magic fans to Amway Arena for the second time in three days as the Magic play host to the Detroit Pistons. Before we get underway tonight, I would like to share with you some pre-game observations...
1) There are way to many Pistons' fans here. Much like the New York Yankees or the Dallas Cowboys, the Pistons are forming a front-running following that is sickening.
2) Rasheed Wallace is a character. Breaking news I know, but 'Shed comes strutting out of the locker room a half hour after his teammates with what can only be described as man capri pants. He shoots around for 10 minutes rotating between his left and dominate right hand ending his shootaround by shooting a couple from half court. While he is shooting, he taunts the fans, most of them Piston fans, and then runs directly past them without acknowledgment to conclude his workout.
3) Brian Adams is not my name. It was brought to my attention today by my parents Kimberly and Harold that the name they provided for me (Nicholas) was replaced by Brian on our "Fans Game Thread" portion of our Magic forum. First of all, if you want to refer to me as the mildly successful Canadian soft rocker, his name is spelled Bryan. Secondly, if you are going to refer me to a famous Adams, at least make it someone cool like Samuel or John Quincey. And lastly, "Everything I do, I do it for you".
SHOOTAROUND
Pre-game shootarounds normally consist of the home team working out from about 10 AM to Noon with the visiting team practicing shortly after.
This morning's shootaround only featured the home team Magic because the visiting Detroit Pistons, having played the night before in Miami, don't participate in shootarounds the morning after a game.
Detroit (1-0) defeated the Heat in Miami 91-80 lead by Tayshaun Price who had a career night tallying 34 points and 12 rebounds, both career highs. Chauncey Billups added 19 points and 11 assists for the Pistons who played without their leading scorer Richard Hamilton.
Hamilton did not play because of family issues and is expected to miss tonight's contest as well.
Although the back-to-back games may be grueling for some team's, Coach Van Gundy doesn't believe it will effect the Pistons.
"Detroit is a very experienced and tough team," Van Gundy commented. "The back-to-back will not faze them because they are a veteran group who is mentally strong."
Van Gundy continued, "Every team in the league plays back-to-backs and quite frankly the back-to-back Orlando slash Miami one is one of the easiest in the league in terms of travel. It is a 30 minute flight, we have a back-to-back where we go from Minnesota to Toronto so everyone makes that out to be an advantage for the Florida teams but it really isn't."
The match-up features two teams with very contrasting styles. The Pistons like to slow the game down and pride themselves on the defensive end of the floor whereas the Magic, under Van Gundy's new up-tempo system, likes to get up and down the floor forcing a fast paced game.
Van Gundy states that controlling the tempo of the game will be a key factor.
"Detroit does a great job of getting back on defense," added Van Gundy. "You are playing one of the best teams in the league and specifically one of the best defensive teams so shots will be hard to come by which makes it even more imperative that we do play at a high pace to create more open looks."
Van Gundy goes on to state how the Magic plan to keep the pace of the game in their favor.
"The first thing we want to do in order to keep the pace up is to stop them on a consistent basis. We need to rebound the ball well so we can get the ball out on the break and keeping them off the free-throw line will be key because they like to be aggressive and draw fouls sending them to line which slows the game down."
As stated below, the Magic come into the game very motivated to avenge eight loses handed to them on behalf of Detroit last season.
"If you are an NBA player and can't get motivated for the second game of the season at home against a team that beat you eight times a year ago," Van Gundy stated infatically, "then I have the wrong guys in my locker room but I know my guys and they are ready."
PREGAME
The Magic opened the season Wednesday night with a very impressive 102-83 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks.
Directly after the win, the team was rewarded with a large number eight written on their locker room board written by Coach Van Gundy. Why the number eight?
The number eight represents the amount of times the Detroit Pistons beat the Magic last season.
"I've been thinking about the big eight since last season," said Dwight Howard.
It is a new season and the Pistons visit Amway Arena on Friday for the first time since they ended Orlando's 2006-2007 season with a four game playoff sweep.
The sweep was something that stuck with most of the players motivating them coming into tonight's contest.
"It felt real bad after they beat us the last time on our home floor," added Howard. "We have motivation against them and we are going to try and destroy them. There is no way any team should beat us eight times in one year."
Teammate Jameer Nelson also commented on the number.
"That's what it is...a big eight," said Nelson. "We have to just come out aggressive and know that we can beat these guys."
Beating the Pistons will be a challenge as Detroit returns much of the same core players who helped them reach their fifth straight Eastern Conference appearance.
However, Van Gundy and the Magic seem very ready and determined with the challenge at hand.
"As a team, we are always looking for new challenges and tonight's challenge is the eight," added Van Gundy.
Along with using the number as motivation, the team used the experience of losing as a learning tool.
"We definitely matured from that experience," said Nelson. "You know that term every game counts?...Well, every game counts from game one to game 82."
Game number two gets underway tonight with motivation from the number eight.
MAGIC INJURY REPORT
Tony Battie – Out, torn rotator cuff, left shoulder – underwent successful surgery on Oct. 24; will likely miss the entire season.
TONIGHT’S OPPONENT:
Nov. 2 vs. Detroit (Orlando, FL): Orlando is 28-40 all-time vs. Detroit (19-15 at home, 9-25 on the road) during regular season action, including 0-4 last season…Orlando is 6-8 vs. Detroit in the playoffs (2-0 at home, 1-0 on the road, 1996 first round; 2-1 at home, 1-3 on the road, 2003 first round; 0-2 at home, 0-2 on the road, 2007 first round)...Orlando has lost 14 of the last 17 regular season meetings with the Pistons overall...The Magic have lost seven of the last nine matchups at home, but won 19 of the last 28…Orlando has lost the last six at Detroit and 11 of the last 13 at The Palace…Carlos Arroyo spent parts of two seasons (2004-05, 2005-06) with the Pistons…Assistant GM Dave Twardzik served as an assistant coach for the Pistons in 2000-01…Assistant Coach Brendan Malone served on the Pistons’ bench for seven seasons from 1988-95 and helped them capture back-to-back NBA Championships in 1989 and 1990…For last season’s stats and Magic career numbers vs. Detroit, see p. 247 of the media guide.
BEST ALL-TIME SCORING PERFORMANCE VS. PISTONS: 46 pts., Tracy McGrady (@ Orlando, 12-25-02); Shaquille O’Neal (@ Detroit, 2-16-93)
BEST ALL-TIME SCORING PERFORMANCE VS. MAGIC: 42 pts., Grant Hill (@ Orlando, 1-3-00)
 |
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | F |  |
|
| PISTONS | 28 | 36 | 27 | 25 | 116 | ||
| MAGIC | 30 | 25 | 23 | 14 | 92 |
By Nick Adams | OrlandoMagic.com
RECAP
Despite playing back-to-back games and missing their leading scorer, Detroit came into Amway Arena and pounded the Magic by a score of 116-92. Orlando held a 30-28 lead to end the first but Detroit outscored the Magic 36-25 in the second and never looked back.
Detroit (2-0) had six players in double figures led by 19 points from Flip Murray off the bench. As a whole, the Piston's bench outscored the Magic's 45-17.
Rashard Lewis once again led the Magic scoring 21 points and Dwight Howard added another double-double tallying 16 points and 13 rebounds.
The Magic had an off shooting night going 40 percent from the field and 67 percent from the free-throw line.
Orlando (1-1) has to make a quick recovery as they head for Washington D.C. where they will face the Wizards tomorrow night.
FOURTH QUARTER
Jarvis Hayes begins the fourth with a three and Lewis hits a pair from the line to make the score 94-80 Detroit. The fourth quarter is a bit sluggish for both teams as fatigue begins to set in after a hard fought three quarters. Despite the intense action, my attention is drawn to a guy to the right of me who is sporting a pink sports coat and is looking around to see if anyone notices how extremely cool he looks. If I didn't have to keep you updated on this game, I would walk over to him and inform him that Halloween was two nights ago.
The Pistons have outscored the Magic 10-2 to start the fourth and have a commanding 101-80 lead with seven minutes to go in the game. Lewis buckets a pair of free-throws but the Pistons have another answer as Prince hits a fadeaway. McDyess finishes with a nice dish from Murray and Stan is furious as the Magic call a timeout. The Pistons lead comfortably 105-82.
J.J Redick enters the ballgame to a big ovation from the Orlando fans who haven't left to beat the I-4 traffic. Ariza and Howard split a pair of free-throws but the Pistons answer yet again increasing their lead to 109-84 with just under five minutes left. Dooling and Ariza string together back-to-back buckets but too little too late for the Magic as Lewis and Howard check out symbolically waving Orlando's white flag.
Rasheed exits the game to a chorus of boos which he welcomes but he continues to argue calls from the bench up by nearly 30 in the fourth.
James Augustine gets his first points of the season as the Pistons lead 112-90 at the two mintue warning. The Pistons will end up with six players in double figures tonight as the game ends and Detroit wins for the ninth straight time against the Magic by a score of 116-92.
Final: Detroit Pistons 116, Orlando Magic 92
THIRD QUARTER
Rashard Lewis leads all scorers through two quarters of play with 14 points. Both the Magic and Pistons are shooting well from the field with Orlando shooting 51 percent and the Pistons shooting 64 percent. Each team opens the half with their starters as Billups starts the half with a three and the Pistons lead is up to double digits. McDyess hits a jumper and Shed hits a three giving the Pistons an 8-0 lead to begin the half. Timeout Van Gundy.
Well, this will be a good test for a young Magic team who finds themselves down big and visibly frustrated. Perhaps the most annoying chant in sports, "Deeeeeeetroit Baaaaaaasketball", is yelled by a Pistons fan directly behind me as Afflalo makes it a 10-0 run. Nelson ends the run with a pair of free-throws but the Magic still trail 74-57. Bogans hits a three with the shot clock at zero bringing some life to the Amway crowd with eight minutes left in the third. Lewis gets fouled in the act of shooting a three by Shed who always has a comment afterwards. Lewis makes all three as the Magic claw back into the game at 74-63.
The teams trade baskets and Turkoglu hits a three to bring the Magic within ten at 80-70 with five remaining in the quarter. The intensity in this game is overwhelming for the second game of the season.
Ariza is fouled hard by Jarvis Hayes and you just get a feeling that there is bound to be a fight. The tension of the game is bearing down on the 17,000 people packed into the arena. The Magic head to the line but are struggling missing three out of their last four. Turk nails a three to cut the lead back to 10 at 84-74 with just under three minutes left in the third. A much needed timeout as everyone needs to take a deep breath.
Each team has four players in double figures with Billups and Lewis leading the way with 18 and 17 points respectively. Howard splits a pair of free-throws as the Magic are six of their last seven from the charity stripe. Back-to-back buckets by the Pistons bumps the Detroit lead back to 89-75. Detroit coach Flip Saunders receives a technical and Turk makes the free-throw. Flip Murray with a transition dunk with under a minute left and the Pistons leading 91-78. Hedo misses two free-throws as the Magic's free-throw woes continue ending a hectic third quarter.
End of the Third: Detroit Pistons 91, Orlando Magic 78
SECOND QUARTER
The teams trade baskets to start the second and the game is tied at 34 two minutes into the quarter. The Magic start the second with Lewis and Howard on the bench who have 10 and 8 points respectively. Each team is shooting the ball well early converting on nearly 60 percent of their attempts. Flip Murray breaks the tie with a three-pointer giving the Pistons a 37-34 lead. Prince takes the ball in transition and gets a questionable continuation call against Dooling forcing a timeout with Prince's Pistons leading 39-34 with eight minutes to go in the half.
Prince finishes the three-point play but Howard quickly answers with another poster worthy dunk also drawing a Piston foul. Howard converts the three-point play. Nelson finds an open Keith Bogans who strokes a three from the corner but the Pistons answer with one of their own to take a 43-30 lead with just under seven minutes left in the half.
Nelson hits a pair of free-throws to cut the lead to one as Rashard Lewis checks back into the game. Bogans is a perfect 3-for-3 from beyond the arc as he nets another triple from the corner but Shed answers with one of this own. Each team is shooting well from downtown with the Magic 5-for-7 and the Pistons 3-for-5. Rashard Lewis does his best Rasheed Wallace impression by picking up a technical foul which leads to a free-throw and a made basket giving the Pistons a 51-48 lead with 4:36 left in the second.
Maxiell completes a three-point play as the pace of the game slowly begins to swing in the Pistons favor. The Pistons begin to go on a little run and the Magic have gone cold causing Van Gundy to call a timeout as the Pistons have their largest lead of the game at 58-49.
Lewis makes an important bucket out of the timeout but Shed answers with one of this own. The tension in this building is growing as Bogans and Afflalo get tangled up. The mental toughness of this young Magic team will be tested tonight as the Pistons seem to be dictating this game. The half closes with a Billups bucket giving Detroit a 64-55 lead through two.
Halftime: Detroit Pistons 64, Orlando Magic 55
FIRST QUARTER
The Magic win the opening tip and Dwight Howard gets things going with a bucket down low. The pace of the game starts out in the Magic's favor as they come down and hit open jumpers, a three by Turk, a jumper by Rashard, and a dunk by Dwight on a nice feed from Turk. The Magic lead 13-9 early in a track meet.
The Magic started the game with the same unit as they did in game one with Nelson, Bogans, Turkoglu, Lewis, and Howard. The Pistons counter with Billups, Afflalo, Prince, Wallace, and McDyess.
Bogans and Lewis keep the Orlando three parade going with back-to-back threes forcing a timeout from the Pistons with the Magic leading 19-13 with just under six minutes left in the first quarter.
I apologize for the lack in detail for the first part of the game, but our wireless network took an early dinner break. Figures on the night where the pace and energy of the game has been at its highest all season that it would fail me. Oh well, no excuses, play like a champion.
The Magic carry over Wednesday's intensity on the defensive floor as Howard swats a Rasheed shot and then comes down the other end and nets a baby hook. McDyess with back-to-back hoops tieing the ballgame at 21 with three minutes left in the first.
Carlos Arroyo checks in for Nelson and gets into the action by putting a flashing move on the Pistons defense resulting in a layup. The big three for the Magic (Howard, Lewis, and Turkoglu) have scored 18 of the Magic's first 23 points.
The Magic lead 23-21 with two mintues remaining as Tayshaun Prince splits a pair of free-throws cutting the Magic lead to one. Flip Murray puts the Pistons ahead with a transition hoop but Keyon Dooling comes off the bench and gives the lead back to the Magic at 25-24. The crowd erupts as Howard posterizes Jason Maxiell on a nice feed from Arroyo. After a pair of Billups free-throws the Magic control the ball with 45 seconds left but Lewis misses a hook. Billups comes down the other end and scores giving the Pistons a 28-27 advantage. The Magic hold for the last shot of the quarter as Lewis gets fouled in the act of shooting a three-pointer. Lewis makes all three and the Magic lead 30-28 to end the first.
End of First Quarter: Orlando Magic 30, Detroit Pistons 28
TIP-OFF
Welcome back Magic fans to Amway Arena for the second time in three days as the Magic play host to the Detroit Pistons. Before we get underway tonight, I would like to share with you some pre-game observations...
1) There are way to many Pistons' fans here. Much like the New York Yankees or the Dallas Cowboys, the Pistons are forming a front-running following that is sickening.
2) Rasheed Wallace is a character. Breaking news I know, but 'Shed comes strutting out of the locker room a half hour after his teammates with what can only be described as man capri pants. He shoots around for 10 minutes rotating between his left and dominate right hand ending his shootaround by shooting a couple from half court. While he is shooting, he taunts the fans, most of them Piston fans, and then runs directly past them without acknowledgment to conclude his workout.
3) Brian Adams is not my name. It was brought to my attention today by my parents Kimberly and Harold that the name they provided for me (Nicholas) was replaced by Brian on our "Fans Game Thread" portion of our Magic forum. First of all, if you want to refer to me as the mildly successful Canadian soft rocker, his name is spelled Bryan. Secondly, if you are going to refer me to a famous Adams, at least make it someone cool like Samuel or John Quincey. And lastly, "Everything I do, I do it for you".
SHOOTAROUND
Pre-game shootarounds normally consist of the home team working out from about 10 AM to Noon with the visiting team practicing shortly after.
This morning's shootaround only featured the home team Magic because the visiting Detroit Pistons, having played the night before in Miami, don't participate in shootarounds the morning after a game.
Detroit (1-0) defeated the Heat in Miami 91-80 lead by Tayshaun Price who had a career night tallying 34 points and 12 rebounds, both career highs. Chauncey Billups added 19 points and 11 assists for the Pistons who played without their leading scorer Richard Hamilton.
Hamilton did not play because of family issues and is expected to miss tonight's contest as well.
Although the back-to-back games may be grueling for some team's, Coach Van Gundy doesn't believe it will effect the Pistons.
"Detroit is a very experienced and tough team," Van Gundy commented. "The back-to-back will not faze them because they are a veteran group who is mentally strong."
Van Gundy continued, "Every team in the league plays back-to-backs and quite frankly the back-to-back Orlando slash Miami one is one of the easiest in the league in terms of travel. It is a 30 minute flight, we have a back-to-back where we go from Minnesota to Toronto so everyone makes that out to be an advantage for the Florida teams but it really isn't."
The match-up features two teams with very contrasting styles. The Pistons like to slow the game down and pride themselves on the defensive end of the floor whereas the Magic, under Van Gundy's new up-tempo system, likes to get up and down the floor forcing a fast paced game.
Van Gundy states that controlling the tempo of the game will be a key factor.
"Detroit does a great job of getting back on defense," added Van Gundy. "You are playing one of the best teams in the league and specifically one of the best defensive teams so shots will be hard to come by which makes it even more imperative that we do play at a high pace to create more open looks."
Van Gundy goes on to state how the Magic plan to keep the pace of the game in their favor.
"The first thing we want to do in order to keep the pace up is to stop them on a consistent basis. We need to rebound the ball well so we can get the ball out on the break and keeping them off the free-throw line will be key because they like to be aggressive and draw fouls sending them to line which slows the game down."
As stated below, the Magic come into the game very motivated to avenge eight loses handed to them on behalf of Detroit last season.
"If you are an NBA player and can't get motivated for the second game of the season at home against a team that beat you eight times a year ago," Van Gundy stated infatically, "then I have the wrong guys in my locker room but I know my guys and they are ready."
PREGAME
The Magic opened the season Wednesday night with a very impressive 102-83 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks.
Directly after the win, the team was rewarded with a large number eight written on their locker room board written by Coach Van Gundy. Why the number eight?
The number eight represents the amount of times the Detroit Pistons beat the Magic last season.
"I've been thinking about the big eight since last season," said Dwight Howard.
It is a new season and the Pistons visit Amway Arena on Friday for the first time since they ended Orlando's 2006-2007 season with a four game playoff sweep.
The sweep was something that stuck with most of the players motivating them coming into tonight's contest.
"It felt real bad after they beat us the last time on our home floor," added Howard. "We have motivation against them and we are going to try and destroy them. There is no way any team should beat us eight times in one year."
Teammate Jameer Nelson also commented on the number.
"That's what it is...a big eight," said Nelson. "We have to just come out aggressive and know that we can beat these guys."
Beating the Pistons will be a challenge as Detroit returns much of the same core players who helped them reach their fifth straight Eastern Conference appearance.
However, Van Gundy and the Magic seem very ready and determined with the challenge at hand.
"As a team, we are always looking for new challenges and tonight's challenge is the eight," added Van Gundy.
Along with using the number as motivation, the team used the experience of losing as a learning tool.
"We definitely matured from that experience," said Nelson. "You know that term every game counts?...Well, every game counts from game one to game 82."
Game number two gets underway tonight with motivation from the number eight.
MAGIC INJURY REPORT
Tony Battie – Out, torn rotator cuff, left shoulder – underwent successful surgery on Oct. 24; will likely miss the entire season.
TONIGHT’S OPPONENT:
Nov. 2 vs. Detroit (Orlando, FL): Orlando is 28-40 all-time vs. Detroit (19-15 at home, 9-25 on the road) during regular season action, including 0-4 last season…Orlando is 6-8 vs. Detroit in the playoffs (2-0 at home, 1-0 on the road, 1996 first round; 2-1 at home, 1-3 on the road, 2003 first round; 0-2 at home, 0-2 on the road, 2007 first round)...Orlando has lost 14 of the last 17 regular season meetings with the Pistons overall...The Magic have lost seven of the last nine matchups at home, but won 19 of the last 28…Orlando has lost the last six at Detroit and 11 of the last 13 at The Palace…Carlos Arroyo spent parts of two seasons (2004-05, 2005-06) with the Pistons…Assistant GM Dave Twardzik served as an assistant coach for the Pistons in 2000-01…Assistant Coach Brendan Malone served on the Pistons’ bench for seven seasons from 1988-95 and helped them capture back-to-back NBA Championships in 1989 and 1990…For last season’s stats and Magic career numbers vs. Detroit, see p. 247 of the media guide.
BEST ALL-TIME SCORING PERFORMANCE VS. PISTONS: 46 pts., Tracy McGrady (@ Orlando, 12-25-02); Shaquille O’Neal (@ Detroit, 2-16-93)
BEST ALL-TIME SCORING PERFORMANCE VS. MAGIC: 42 pts., Grant Hill (@ Orlando, 1-3-00)
