Coming off a 113-108 loss to the Houston Rockets in which they watched a 19-point lead collapse in a matter of a few minutes, the Orlando Magic began preparing to host the Detroit Pistons on Sunday — the best team in the Eastern Conference. 

After Saturday’s practice, coach Jamahl Mosley talked about the focus for the team. 

“Yeah, I think what our focus was today was just tightening back up on the details of things,” Mosley said. “You know, understanding our defense is what we're going to need to do against a team like Detroit, some similarities to Houston, but our ability to guard one-on-one, rebounding, protecting the paint versus these guys, that's got to be key for us.” 

In Orlando’s loss to the Rockets, Kevin Durant and Reed Sheppard led the way for their team by accounting for 19 points in the 21-0 run that snatched the Magic’s lead from them. Mosley understands the fragility of large leads in the NBA landscape, and for the Magic to protect them, it comes down to being consistent. 

“I think, you know, part of the league is that no lead is safe,” Mosley said. “And I think us continuing to play the right way, you know, throughout the game is always going to be important. You know, basketball is a game of runs. 

“The 3-point shot allows teams to get in the game, and I think that's a big portion of it. So, our ability just to stay consistent throughout the game and do what works, continue to stay with what works throughout the game is going to be very important for us moving forward.” 

The Magic were playing sound basketball and limiting Houston’s opportunities in the first half of the game to construct their 19-point lead, but as the Rockets made their comeback, Orlando’s offensive production began to fold along with its defense. 

“I think what we have to do is just stay consistent in what we've done to get to that point, to get to that lead,” Mosley reiterated. “And what we saw in that first half was quick decisions offensively, attacking the basket, getting downhill; getting some early easy baskets. You know, we stuck to the right game plan. 

“I think, you know, holding them to one for 11 in that first half from three was a key to it, and so I think our ability to do that and stay the game plan throughout, stay with the game plan throughout the game is very important for us.” 

The Magic will tip off against the Pistons on Sunday at 6 p.m. ET. 

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