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From Orlando Sentinel

PISTONS 101, MAGIC 93

Orlando Magic prove once again they are no match for the mighty Pistons

After hinting otherwise with a win on Monday, the Magic show once again they are no match for the mighty Pistons.

Brian Schmitz | Sentinel Staff Writer
January 26, 2008

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. - As a birthday gag gift, Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard recently was given a pair of XXXXL size underwear.

If the newly minted all-star starter or his team want more reminders never to get too big for their britches, the Detroit Pistons are always available to bring them back to Earth.

And, often, with a noisy thud.

Four days after edging the Pistons in Orlando to halt a nine-game losing streak against Detroit, the Magic were whipped 101-93 in a nationally televised rematch Friday night at The Palace.

Rashard Lewis' 12-foot buzzer-beating bank-shot had given the Magic a 102-100 victory in the previous meeting. But there was no need to worry about Lewis or watch the clock this time after the first quarter.

The Pistons (31-13) ravaged the Magic's defense and dominated the boards to open a 21-point first-quarter lead, scoring a season-high 68 points by halftime. They weren't threatened despite the final.

This game was not closer than it appeared. The Magic didn't make anything resembling a run until late in the third period.

"Our guys didn't give up on the game so the final margin doesn't look bad, but we never threatened," Coach Stan Van Gundy said. "The game was over in the first quarter. That was embarrassing that we weren't ready for their competitive level in the first quarter.

"After that, they just kind of cruised."

This didn't look like a fair fight between division leaders as ESPN probably wished it aired bowling or the world's strongest man competition.

The Magic (27-18) brought out the best -- and the beast -- in the Pistons. When they're motivated and clicking, the 2004 NBA champs are still a force, arguably sending out the best starting five in the league.

"We were really looking forward to this game after the way we played down there [in Orlando]," Pistons point guard Chauncey Billups said.

Detroit shot 50.6 percent and whipped Orlando on the boards 49-31, scoring 21 second-chance points off 15 offensive rebounds.

Billups said that the Pistons' game-plan was to take advantage of 6-11, 235-pound Rasheed Wallace's size advantage against the 6-10 Lewis, and "punish" the Magic inside.

But because the Magic were unable to defend Rip Hamilton on a curl play behind some picks from Wallace, Billups went to Hamilton's hot hand.

Hamilton scored 20 of his game-high 32 points (on 14 of 22 shooting) in the first half. "The play was meant for 'Sheed,' " Billups said, "but they couldn't stop Rip. Once they started playing it right, we went in other directions."

Hedo Turkoglu paced the Magic with 23 points. Howard had 22 points and 14 rebounds, but was just 8 of 16 from the free-throw line. He had no defensive rebounds at halftime as Orlando trailed 68-49 at intermission.

Carlos Arroyo had 16 points with six assists and just one turnover in almost 38 minutes. Lewis missed 13 of 16 shots and was held to just 13 points.

Keyon Dooling bruised his right knee, but said he was OK afterward. Orlando's starting point guard, Jameer Nelson, missed his fourth consecutive game with a strained tendon in his right foot and is doubtful for Sunday's 1 p.m. game against the Boston Celtics.

The Pistons delivered the knockout punch early, storming to a 39-18 lead after the first period. They were razor-sharp, hitting 17 of 22 shots (77.3 percent) as the Magic were helpless to stop them.

"The first quarter really killed us," Turkoglu said. "They jumped on us early. We were chasing all night long, and it's so hard against that kind of team."

The Pistons still aren't too high and mighty to try to avenge a defeat. Hamilton said that Magic guard Maurice Evans -- a former Piston -- "was talking a lot of trash [Thursday night] when he came over to my house. So I told him I was going after him."

No surprise, Hamilton humbled Evans, and the Pistons put the Magic in their place. Again.


Brian Schmitz can be reached at bschmitz@orlandosentinel.com

Related topic galleries: National Basketball Association, Rashard Lewis, Jameer Nelson, Major League Baseball, Hedo Turkoglu, Keyon Dooling, Rasheed Wallace

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