Franz Wagner scored 25 of his 32 points in the fourth quarter as the Orlando Magic snapped a five-game losing streak with a 121-113 win over the visiting Detroit Pistons on Saturday.
Paolo Banchero also had 32 points for Orlando (24-23), which trailed by two before opening the fourth quarter with a 20-4 run to move ahead 99-85. Jonathan Isaac finished with 14 points, and Wendell Carter Jr. had 11 points and 11 rebounds.
Detroit battled back in the final minutes and cut the deficit to 112-106 with 2:37 left before Banchero scored on Orlando’s next possession and Wagner followed with a deep 3-pointer.
Orlando led by 11 on Carter’s dunk with 49 seconds remaining, helping to end Detroit’s four-game road winning streak. Wagner was 9-of-10 shooting in the fourth quarter, including 4 of 4 from 3-point range.
Cade Cunningham led the Pistons with 35 points and 11 assists. Malik Beasley scored 18 points, Ausar Thompson added 16, Tim Hardaway Jr. and Ron Holland II had 13 apiece, and Jalen Duren finished with 10.
The physical game featured nine ties and 11 lead changes, along with seven technical fouls, one flagrant foul and multiple official reviews. Pistons coach J.B. Bickerstaff was ejected with 6:01 left in regulation.
Detroit held an early 30-18 advantage after Holland and Beasley closed the first quarter with back-to-back 3-pointers.
Orlando answered in the second quarter and took its first lead at 49-48 on Kentavious Caldwell-Pope’s trey with 2:41 left in the half.
The Magic led 54-53 at the half after outscoring the Pistons 36-23 in the second quarter. Banchero had 17 points to lead all scorers.
Detroit forward Tobias Harris exited the game at the half with a head injury and did not return.
Neither team was able to separate in the third quarter, which ended with Detroit leading 81-79.
Orlando guard Jalen Suggs returned after missing 10 games with a lower back strain, but exited the game with 7:40 left in the contest with an apparent left leg injury.
–Field Level Media
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