Field Level Media
Jan 8, 2022
Hamidou Diallo had 17 points, six rebounds and three steals and the host Detroit Pistons handed the Orlando Magic their eighth consecutive loss, 97-92, on Saturday.
Trey Lyles contributed 16 points and 13 rebounds for Detroit, which had lost 20 of 23 prior to the matchup of teams with the NBA's worst records. Saddiq Bey also had 16 points and Cade Cunningham added 12 points and five assists. Josh Jackson chipped in 11 points.
Gary Harris led Orlando with 28 points and Cole Anthony had 19 points, eight rebounds and six assists. Terrence Ross added 13 points.
The Magic shot just 32.6 percent from the field in the first half and trailed 52-45 at halftime. Bey led the Pistons with 11 points and Diallo tossed in nine, including a dunk late in the half that gave Detroit a 10-point advantage. Harris topped Orlando with 12 points.
Detroit was up 65-57 midway through the third quarter after Bey drained a 3-pointer. Orlando then went on an 11-2 run to take its first lead of the contest.
Harris and Jackson traded 3-pointers in the final minute of the quarter and the score was tied at 73 entering the fourth.
Lyles scored six points in the first 2 1/2 minutes of the fourth quarter as the Pistons gained a six-point advantage. Saben Lee knocked down a 3-pointer with 8:36 remaining to give Detroit an eight-point advantage. The Magic scored the next seven points, including five from Harris, to cut the Pistons' lead to 86-85.
Diallo tipped in his own miss with 1:50 left to give Detroit a 93-90 advantage. Diallo missed a dunk on the Pistons' next possession.
After two Ross free throws, Cunningham set up Diallo for another dunk and this one didn't pop out.
Ross blew a layup but Cunningham missed a 3-point try. Anthony then missed a 3-point try and Cory Joseph hit two clinching free throws.
Detroit also won the first meeting 110-103 in late October. They'll play in Orlando on Jan. 28 and March 17.
--Field Level Media