The Orlando Magic have been having some intermittent trouble on defense of late. The typically stout unit, led by two-time reigning Defensive Player of the Year Dwight Howard, gave up big totals to the Celtics, Mavericks and Thunder in recent weeks, adding some worry to the otherwise strong rebound the Magic experienced after the two blockbuster trades reshaping the team's supporting cast.
Pistons Vs. Magic: Orlando Defense Concedes To Tracy McGrady, Tayshaun Prince In Detroit Win
Monday night was a bit of a wake-up call. The Magic gave up 103 points in 92 possessions to the otherwise jumpy Detroit Pistons, and lost by seven. The Pistons turned over the ball just six times all game, and took 20 points from each of former Magic star Tracy McGrady, veteran Tayshaun Prince and young buck Austin Daye. McGrady added seven rebounds and five assists; Prince had six assists.
Being that all three of the Pistons’ top scorers were wings, you’d expect Orlando’s perimeter defense to draw criticism. Sure enough, Howard was nonplussed about the defensive job his own wings did.
“Either we get it together or we’re just going to be a playoff team that doesn’t win a championship,” Howard said. “Guys got to guard on the perimeter, got to do a better job. It just can’t be one dribble to the basket. So you got to do a better job.”
Orlando Pinstriped Post is also nonplussed, calling the defeat “disspiriting.” Detroit Bad Boys, fans of a suddenly hot team, is gleeful in its reaction.
You mean to say the Pistons went on the road, beat a championship caliber opponent, and basically held their lead through the entire second half. Hmmm ... That’s a problem. See, I’ve forgotten what that feels like, so I don’t know how to write about it.
The Pistons are now 17-28, just 1.5 games out of the No. 8 spot in the East.
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