The Orlando Magic surrendered a 30-3 burst to the Detroit Pistons to open the third quarter Wednesday night, falling 104-93 in Game 2 of their first-round series and missing a chance to seize a 2-0 lead.
“You can’t just ignore it,” forward Paolo Banchero said postgame. “We have to study what went wrong on both ends and make sure it doesn’t happen again.”
Series shifts to Orlando
Despite the defeat, Orlando returns to Kia Center for Saturday’s Game 3 tied 1-1 after winning Game 1 on Sunday. The club posted a 25-15 home record during the regular season, and Franz Wagner told reporters the roster feels “very comfortable” on its own floor.
Guard Desmond Bane pointed to two areas that need fixing: three-point accuracy (8-for-32 in Game 2) and second-chance production (0-for-11). “We had plenty of looks—put-backs, dagger threes,” Bane said. “Some nights they don’t fall. I expect we’ll hit more as the series goes on.”
Film session sparks late-season push
Orlando’s playoff bid nearly ended in last Friday’s play-in matchup with Charlotte. Prior to that do-or-die contest, head coach Jamahl Mosley showed a video montage of players’ NCAA tournament highlights, a move guard Jalen Suggs said reminded the team “where we came from” and helped ease tension before the win that clinched the East’s final postseason berth.
Da Silva’s expanded role
Second-year forward Tristan Da Silva, limited to five scoreless minutes in last season’s playoffs, is averaging 19 minutes through the first two games this year. He called last spring’s limited action “a valuable lesson” that prepared him for a larger assignment.
Isaac inching closer
Forward Jonathan Isaac has not played since spraining his left knee on March 12. He was upgraded to doubtful before ultimately sitting out Game 2, a sign his return could be nearing. Whether the veteran will see the court against Detroit remains uncertain after the month-long layoff.
Game 3 tips off Saturday night in Orlando with the series knotted at one apiece.
Source: Hoops Rumors
