ORLANDO — The Orlando Magic will be without a key piece of their roster when they host the Detroit Pistons on Sunday as Anthony Black will miss the contest with a right quad contusion. 

The Magic announced the news of Black’s absence just hours before tipoff, and his unavailability puts a greater strain on a roster looking for a way to beat the best team in the Eastern Conference. 

According to Magic coach Jamahl Mosley, this is not a recent injury for Black. 

“He's been dealing with that for quite some time,” Mosley said. “He's been getting bumped and hit quite a bit. And I think last game was one where it just took its toll. 

With Black’s injury, the coaching staff is once again compelled to adjust. 

“It impacts it very, very heavily,” Mosley said about the rotation. “But again, for our group, we always talk about next man up mentality. Whoever gets those minutes and that nod is going to be ready to play when they step on the floor.” 

This season, Black has enjoyed an exponential offensive leap. Through 58 games (38 starts) he is averaging 15.7 points, 3.9 assists, 3.9 rebounds and 1.4 steals — all career highs. 

Regardless of Black’s absence, Orlando will have to play the right way against a Pistons team that is highly effective on both ends of the floor. After getting blown out in the first meeting against Detroit, the Magic were able to win the second game near the end of November. Sunday’s game will mark the second to last meeting between the two clubs in the regular season. 

“I mean, obviously number [the] two defense in the league. Their ability to turn you over, disrupt your shots; they’re physical. We have to make sure we take care of the basketball, keep them off the offensive glass, and get on time on target passes. But getting out early in transition to not go against their half court sets.” 

The Magic’s ability to slow down Cade Cunningham, the head of the snake for Detroit, will be paramount. To do so, it will take a collective effort. 

“it's on everybody. A guy like Cade, who's having an MVP type year, I think he's, to me, the front runner in that regard. You're not going to do it with just one or two guys,” Mosley said. “It's got to be a five-man job. Every time he's on the floor, you've got to mix the coverages up.  

“He's so smart. He understands what he's seeing out there. He gets his teammates involved the right way. So, I just think you've got to do it with multiple guys, being able to sit down and guard. But he's got to see a crowd all night long.” 

Despite the injuries the Magic are dealing with, Pistons coach J.B. Bickerstaff understands his team has to be ready for the challenge.

"I mean, you respect everybody you play, right?" Bickerstaff said. "And the Magic are no different. They're well coached, they're physical, they get after you defensively, they're edgy, you know what I mean? So these games are gonna come down to that competition and that battle. And they've got talented guys up and down their roster.

"So, in the NBA, it's one of the biggest misnomers. People feel like, well, if a guy is out or whatever, that team is automatically gonna be worse or lay down. But those are the teams that play harder and fight harder because you got guys that are trying to earn opportunities and earn minutes, earn rotation spots, whatever it may be."

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