Pistons Host Magic
By J.M. Poulard
Essentials
- Teams: Orlando Magic (15-29) at Detroit Pistons (16-26)
- Date: January 21, 2015
- Time: 7:30 p.m.
- Television: FSD
Get in the Game
The Detroit Pistons host the Orlando Magic tonight in a contest that Orlando desperately needs in order to shake off the stink of their last game.
Orlando was soundly defeated at home by the Oklahoma City Thunder (127-99 score) in a game that was never close. Kevin Durant and Co. were up 37-20 at the end of the first quarter and never looked back.
OKC is supremely talented, but that’s hardly reason enough to get smoked at home by such a large margin.
The true culprit in Orlando’s debacle against OKC is a clear lack of preparation. The Magic seemed surprise when Serge Ibaka repeatedly drifted out to the three-point line in pick-and-pops, where he connected on his early jumpers. Keep in mind, Ibaka is converting a higher percentage of his threes (41.2 percent) than the San Antonio Spurs’ Danny Green (40.8 percent).
Let that sink in for a moment. The Magic allowed Ibaka to spread the floor and take eight open treys – he made four – on the way to a rout. By the time Orlando titled its defense, it was too late. It overreacted to his openings and shifted the defense his way, which allowed Russell Westbrook and Durant to wreak havoc on the interior.
It’s worth noting, the Magic are a bottom-third defense unit and were without the services of Tobias Harris (game-time decision). Harris isn’t a great defender, but he’s got quick feet and fairly good instincts that allow him to compete and makes things a little difficult for opponents.
This isn’t to say that he would have limited Durant, but Harris would have helped a bit despite the Magic’s apparent lack of preparation. In related news, Orlando has been off since the contest, and those three days off were probably enough to at least scout Detroit and make game specific adjustments.
One place Orlando will likely focus its attention is the center position. Nik Vucevik was a monster in a meeting against the Pistons in November, as evidenced by his 25 points and 14 rebounds on 10-for-18 shooting. He scores down in the low post and also possesses a good mid-range jumper, a tool that might force Andre Drummond out of the paint.
Thus, the Magic’s best chance of thwarting the Pistons lies within their starting center. Sure, the perimeter players are capable scorers who can present occasional challenges with their shooting and driving ability, but they’re erratic for the most part. Vucevik is the lone option Orlando can consistently count on, and it will be important for head coach Jacque Vaughn to devise a strategy centered around that fact.
On the flip side, the Pistons might hold a trump card with Drummond. The 6’10’’ 270 lbs. center is big and athletic, which could pose a problem for Vucevik. Orlando will try to nullifying him by feeding their big man early because of Drummond’s foul issues (4.1 per 36 minutes) and putting him into pick-and-rolls and pick-and-pops.
Ultimately, I’m doubtful of Orlando’s chances in this one. It needs to combine a good offensive showing with a strong defensive performance to beat Detroit at the Palace of Auburn Hills, and I just don’t see it.
The Pistons aren’t world beaters – opponents since mid-December might respectfully disagree – at this juncture, but they are playing in unison and with a singular purpose, whereas the Magic often look like a handful of individuals grouped together in an effort to figure out this thing called basketball.
The Magic aren’t the Philadelphia 76ers, but they aren’t the defending champion San Antonio Spurs either, and well, the Pistons already handled those Spurs.
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