Magic emphatically send Pistons to 19th straight loss

Field Level Media|published: Fri 8th December, 21:35 2023

Dec 8, 2023; Orlando, Florida, USA; Orlando Magic forward Franz Wagner (22) goes to the basket against Detroit Pistons guard Killian Hayes (7) during the second quarter at Amway Center. credits: Mike Watters-USA TODAY Sports

Franz Wagner scored 27 points and Paolo Banchero added 24 points as the Orlando Magic handed the visiting Detroit Pistons their 19th straight loss, 123-91 on Friday.

Cole Anthony had 16 points and Goga Bitadze added 13 points, eight rebounds and four blocks for Orlando, which led by as many as 34 and snapped a two-game skid. Gary Harris chipped in 11 points.

Cade Cunningham led Detroit with 21 points and six assists. Killian Hayes added 16 points and Alec Burks scored 14 for the Pistons, who were held to a season-low point total and fell to 2-20 overall.

Detroit shot 6-of-30 (20 percent) from 3-point range and committed 15 turnovers. The Pistons are closing in on the NBA's single-season record of 26 straight losses, set by the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2010-11 and the Philadelphia 76ers in 2013-14.

Orlando improved to 10-2 at home after shooting 55.1 percent from the field and 10-of-26 (38.5 percent) from 3-point range.

The Pistons claimed an early 18-12 lead, but trailed by five after Orlando closed the first quarter on a 16-5 run. Bitadze scored 11 points in the period.

Orlando carried the momentum into the second quarter and held a 58-44 advantage at the half. Banchero scored 17 points in the half to lead all scorers. Hayes had 12 points for Detroit, which shot 42.5 percent from the field and 3-of-12 (25 percent) from beyond the arc.

Anthony Black's layup midway through the third quarter capped a 14-1 run and pushed Orlando's lead to 75-49. The Magic kept the pressure on and led by as many as 29 before taking a commanding 93-68 lead into the final quarter.

Detroit's losing streak is the longest in one season in franchise history and second-longest overall behind a 21-game skid at the end of the 1979-80 season and start of 1980-81.

Orlando played without Jalen Suggs (right ankle strain) and Jonathan Isaac (right ankle sprain).

Detroit was without forward Jalen Duren, who will miss the next two weeks after suffering a left ankle sprain in Wednesday's loss to the Memphis Grizzlies.

—Field Level Media

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