Desmond Bane exploded for 37 points, silencing doubters and proving Orlando's massive trade gamble paid off with championship-level acquisition.
The Orlando Magic are on a ridiculously hot stretch, and guard Desmond Bane is a major reason for their surge.
During the offseason, Magic president of basketball operations Jeff Weltman went “all-in” on winning, executing a blockbuster deal that sent two veterans and four first-round draft picks out in exchange for Bane. Many thought the price was steep, especially early in the season when Bane struggled to find his rhythm, but his recent play makes the move look like a championship-level acquisition.
In a playoff-style matchup, the Magic beat the Detroit Pistons 112-109 through defense and grit despite a rough shooting night. Bane led the way with 37 points. Even with the perimeter struggles, he was the driving force behind the win over the Eastern Conference-leading Pistons.
After the game, Bane met with media and credited his performance to setting the tone early against a highly competitive opponent.
"Just motivation to play this game,” Bane said. “Last time we played them we were still trying to figure ourselves out as a team and they were chirping and doing what they do. So we wanted to come in and make sure that we were the ones setting the tone tonight."
Despite the 37-point night, Bane didn’t connect from three-point range, but he attacked the rim with force and consistently got to the free-throw line. Coach Jamahl Mosley said he was proud of Bane’s effort from the moment the game tipped off.
“I told him in there he’s just a dog,” Mosley said. “He finds a way to go get it. Whatever it took from the beginning of the game to the end. It actually started before the jump ball – that’s where he was locked in to set the tone right away.”
Taking down the Eastern Conference’s No. 1 seed on any night is a major accomplishment, but the Magic view themselves as championship contenders after bouncing back from a slow start to the season. For Bane, this kind of high-level competition is where he thrives most.
"Yeah, I think the energy and the physicality was similar,” Bane said. “There was implications on the game. Glad that we got out of it with a win. I think it’s going to help us down the stretch. Excited to get tomorrow off, see my family, be with my kids and my wife, and then get back to the drawing board and see how we can be better."
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