01/28/22 08:46:00
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01/28 20:45 CST Wagner outplays Cunningham, lifts Magic past Pistons
Wagner outplays Cunningham, lifts Magic past Pistons
By JOHN DENTON
Associated Press
ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) --- Franz Wagner scored 24 points and outplayed fellow
rookie Cade Cunningham, Terrence Ross added 21 points and the Orlando Magic
beat the Detroit Pistons 119-103 in a matchup of the NBA's worst teams on
Friday night.
Wagner, second only to Cunningham in scoring among rookies, made 7 of 12 shots
and hit all eight of his free throws. Mo Bamba had 18 points and 10 rebounds,
and Chuma Okeke added 17 points and three 3-pointers.
Orlando won at home for the second time in three games and the fourth time this
season. The Magic had lost to the Pistons twice in Detroit and improved to
10-40, two games behind the Pistons in the standings. Only three of Orlando's
wins have been by double digits.
Cunningham, the top overall draft pick, missed his first 11 shots and finished
with eight points on 3-of-17 shooting. Cunningham was coming off a career-best
34-point effort in Tuesday's loss to Denver, but he struggled from the start
with Orlando rookie Jalen Suggs guarding him. Cunningham has made just 7 of 39
shots in three games against the Magic, missing all 15 of his 3-point attempts.
Trey Lyles scored 18 points and Saddiq Bey added 17 for Detroit, which has lost
four straight. The Pistons dropped to 4-22 on the road.
Ross opened the fourth quarter with three straight 3-pointers to push Orlando's
lead to 24 points.
Orlando made 15 of its first 22 shots and built a lead as large as 22 points in
the first quarter. Detroit cut that deficit to seven in the second period, but
Orlando pushed its lead back to 67-51 by halftime.
TIP-INS
Pistons: Cunningham missed his first 11 shots and three 3-point tries. He asked
the referee for the ball during a second-quarter timeout so he could shoot a
3-foot jumper. His first points came with 1:51 left in the first half on two
free throws. ... Coach Dwane Casey said Jeremi Grant continues to work his way
back from time in the NBA's health and safety protocols. Grant remained in
Michigan to work with Pistons development coach John Beilein.
Magic: Anthony was fined $25,000 on Friday for derogatory remarks toward
officials at the end of Orlando's 111-102 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers on
Wednesday. ... Bamba continues to play through a sprained ankle suffered in
practice this week.
UP NEXT
Pistons: Host Cleveland on Sunday night.
Magic: Host Dallas on Sunday night.
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