The Detroit Pistons came away with their second win of the summer, defeating the Orlando Magic Blue squad 73-68 thanks to Lorenzo Brown’s efforts.
The Detroit Pistons remain undefeated through two games in the Orlando Summer League after defeating the hometown Orlando Magic Blue squad by a 73-68 final score, taking seven points in the standings out of a possible eight.
The Pistons were able to overcome poor shooting from pretty much everybody who saw time on the floor, particularly Henry Ellenson and Stanley Johnson who hit a combined 4-for-25 shots. As a team, the Pistons shot just 29.5 percent from the floor and were outrebounded by a 45-36 margin, and both teams shot very poorly in the first half.
Orlando and the Pistons both hit seven field goals in the first half. The Pistons outshot the Magic 23.3% to 20.6%. Real barn burner here
— Duncan Smith (@DuncanSmithNBA) July 4, 2016
The Magic didn’t shoot much better than the Pistons, finishing the game hitting 31.9 percent from the floor at game’s end. The Pistons were effective at getting into the paint, however, and got to the free throw line with regularity. The Pistons finished 36-for-40 from the free throw line, while the Magic were just 17-for-26.
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Perhaps the biggest reason for the Pistons’ victory was Lorenzo Brown, inserted into the starting lineup after starting point guard Michael Gbinije was ruled out for the rest of summer league with a sprained ankle earlier Monday. In Gbinije’s absence, Brown made his presence felt.
Brown took advantage of his opportunity, playing a team-leading 34 minutes and scored 19 points on 5-for-12 shooting from the floor, and hit 9-for-11 from the free throw line. He only had two assists (let’s not forget, nobody could put the ball in the basket), but he added six steals and had a block of a potential game-tying three-pointer late in the fourth quarter.
Lorenzo Brown looks pretty good out there, compared to the brick layers he's surrounded by on both sides of the ball
— Duncan Smith (@DuncanSmithNBA) July 4, 2016
Lorenzo Brown had a great game and ices the win with a block.
— Duncan Smith (@DuncanSmithNBA) July 4, 2016
While Stanley Johnson shot poorly, hitting just 2-for-14 from the floor, he did lead the Pistons with 10 rebounds and added a steal early in the first quarter. First round draft pick Henry Ellenson added 10 points on 2-for-11 shooting and hit 6-for-7 from the free throw line. He also had seven rebounds and a block.
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The Pistons will play next on Tuesday at 5 p.m. against the Indiana Pacers, and the game will be available on NBA TV and NBA League Pass.