After four games, the Detroit Pistons hold a .500 record at 2-2, and most recently the team is coming off an unconvincing 21-point loss to the Cavs at home on Monday. Though that game was the second leg of a back-to-back, the Pistons came out flat, and no player was able to score more than 12 points for Detroit on the night. 

So, the Pistons are looking to right the ship against the Orlando Magic (1-3) tonight at 7 pm, a visiting squad that is currently riding a three-game losing streak of its own. In their last time out, the Magic lost a 136-124 thriller to the Philadelphia 76ers on the road, and Paolo Banchero had an efficient 30-point performance with a peerless 11-11 mark from the charity stripe. Still, that offensive outburst was not enough to seal the deal for Orlando as the Magic allowed a 40+ point scorer in Tyrese Maxey.

Now, the Pistons looked wholly out of sync against the Cavs two days ago and were unable to establish any offense in the post. Cleveland is noted as fielding one of the tougher defensive units in the East, and that proved to be true as Cade Cunningham was simply unable to find his shot with a 3-for-14 effort to his name. Cunningham will look to convert at a higher rate tonight with Orlando on the docket.

Injuries

The Pistons had a new addition join the injury report in point forward Ausar Thompson. Against the Cavs two days ago, Thompson did not play in the second half of the game and only logged 15 minutes in the first half, so it appeared somewhat clear that he was dealing with something, although the game was largely out of hand by that time. Thompson’s ailment is simply listed as an illness, so it is still unknown what is hampering the dynamic Pistons starter. 

As Davis reported, Marcus Sasser, Caris LeVert and Jaden Ivey are all still on the injury report, while the former two are listed as questionable to play tonight and the latter is obviously out for an extended period of time. 

According to the Orlando Magic Daily, it appears that the visitors will be without a trio of players for the Eastern Conference matchup. 

Both the Magic and the Pistons are already a little banged up five games into the season with Detroit particularly feeling it in the guard department. However, point guard Daniss Jenkins has acquitted himself quite well in spot duty in Ivey’s absence, just as he did during preseason and Summer League. Jenkins is on a two-way contract with the Motor City Cruise, but he is making his case as to why he should be a regular everyday NBA player. 

Player To Watch: Ron Holland II

Whether Thompson actually sits out tonight’s game against the Magic or plays through an illness which leaves him limited, the Pistons will have to ask for more from Holland to fill in. Both Thompson and Holland fit a similar profile, they both can handle the basketball and set up the offense for Detroit, and both players can lock down opposing scorers when called upon. So from that basis, both Thompson and Holland offer an overlapping skillset for the Pistons, and if one is going to be unavailable to play, then it only seems logical that the other will have a slightly larger workload as a result.

Pistons Maintain Roster, Salary Cap Flexibility To Set Up Future Moves The Detroit Pistons are currently in an opportunistic position as a franchise

Magic News

The Magic are currently riding a three-game skid, and although Banchero has posted some impressive scoring numbers already this season, his game does not look exactly like it fits the Orlando offense. Banchero could be imposing from a physical context, but he operates like a guard in his activity and shot selection. As a result, Banchero settles for pull-ups and perimeter looks when he could otherwise get to the hoop for higher percentage shots, and the shot selection aspect of his game still seems to be developing to complement his high usage rate. 

Tip-off between the two teams is slated for 7 pm tonight. 

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