Game time: 6 p.m., Kia Center, Orlando 

TV: Fan Duel Sports 

Betting line: Magic +5.5

LAST GAME:  

Kevin Durant poured in 40 points, as Houston overcame a 19-point, second half deficit and defeated Orlando, 113-108, at Kia Center. Reed Sheppard scored 20 points off the bench, including 5-of-7 from three-point range, and Alperen Sengun added 16 points. Desmond Bane led the Magic with 30 points, including 6-of-10 from three-point range while Paolo Banchero tallied 19 points, nine assists and eight rebounds. Houston shot 52.4 percent from the field. Orlando led 76-57 with 5:04 left in the third quarter before the Rockets went on a 21-0 run and closed the frame up 81-80. Sengun hit a layup with 3:07 remaining in the game, giving Houston the lead for good. Durant scored 14 of his points in the fourth quarter.

PISTONS NOTES

Guard Ausar Thompson was recently named Eastern Conference Defensive Player of the Month for games played in January, Thompson ranks second in the NBA averaging 4.3 deflections per game (min. 30 GP)... Notched his 18th game of the season with at least two steals and one block, the third most games in the league this season.

PROJECTED STARTERS

MAGIC

G Anthony Black 

G Desmond Bane

C Wendell Carter Jr

F Tristan da Silva

F Paolo Banchero

PISTONS

F Ausar Thompson

F Tobias Harris

C Jalen Duren 

G  Cade Cunningham 

G Duncan Robinson 

INJURY REPORT

MAGIC

Colin Castelton: Out ( G League)

Alex Morales: Out (G League)

Franz Wagner: Out (Ankle)

PISTONS 

Isaac Jones: Out (G League)

Bobi Klintman: Out (G League)

Chaz Lanier, Chaz Out (G League)

Wendell Moore Jr: Out (G League)

Isaiah Stewart: Out (Suspension)

QUOTABLE

Magic player Jevon Carter on being a leader:  “I feel like I'm being that voice. You know, I'm just calling it like I see it. You know what I'm saying? Just not worrying about hurting feelings and just being honest and being real. You know, it's a young group. Guys are looking to win. We're trying to find the right ways to do things right. You know, and it's just my job to just come in and just tell guys what I see and just give advice when I see fit.” 

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Shandel Richardson is the publisher of MagicRoundtable. He can be reached at shandelrich@gmail.com