Pistons vs Magic: The game between the Detroit Pistons and the Orlando Magic took place on April 3rd, 2021. Both teams came into the game with similar records, striving for a victory to boost their playoff chances. In the first quarter, the Pistons came out strong, displaying excellent ball movement and taking advantage of the Magic's defensive lapses. Their star player, Jerami Grant, showcased his scoring abilities, consistently finding the basket from various spots on the court. The Pistons also dominated the rebound battle, grabbing offensive boards and converting second-chance points. As a result, they ended the quarter with a comfortable lead.

The Pistons’ dismal journey to become the NBA’s worst-ever team

T he Detroit Pistons finally, formally made history on Tuesday night. Detroit lost their single-season record 27th consecutive game, the latest coming at home by a 118-112 score against the Brooklyn Nets. By falling to 2-28, the Pistons built more cushion in a perhaps inexorable quest to become the worst team in league history.

To put their woeful run in context: The 2011-12 Charlotte Bobcats won 10.6% of their games, netting out to 7-59 record in a lockout-shortened season. The 1972-73 Philadelphia Sixers won an even 11%, setting the standard for terribleness over a typical 82-game slate at 9-73. The Pistons, with a 6.6% win rate, are pacing to go 5-77. Whether it’s possible for an NBA team in the modern era to be that bad for so long remains to be seen, but the Pistons seem intent on giving the sporting world a definitive answer.

The Pistons are egregious at every facet of basketball and shockingly devoid of bright spots in a league where being as bad as they are typically reveals some light at the end of the tunnel in the form of a premium draft pick. The Pistons have had plenty of those, but the only dividend they’ve paid is to make it all the more head-scratching how a team could be this horrific. The decline has been long and slow for a franchise that still isn’t all that far removed from spending much of the 2000s as one of the league’s marquee teams. But this season has been a plunge to new depths of egregiousness for an NBA club.

What’s gone right? Very little, of course. But what’s gone wrong is multifaceted.

The Pistons struggle with nearly every part of being a functional basketball team. They are 28th of 30 teams in offensive efficiency, scoring 107.8 points per 100 possessions. They are 26th in defense, allowing 119. There are worse teams at preventing and making baskets, and even in the overall scoring margin, the Pistons aren’t the league’s worst team. (That would be the San Antonio Spurs, led by wunderkind rookie Victor Wembanyama, at minus-12.1 points per 100 possessions.) The Pistons (minus-11.2) are even within striking distance of the Charlotte Hornets at minus-10.6.

But the Hornets have won seven games. The Spurs have won four. The Pistons are 2-28 because they have been cartoonishly, cataclysmically bad on the margins. In games that have featured a scoring margin of five points or fewer in the final five minutes, Detroit is 1-12. That is the worst mark in the NBA by miles, not just this year but in any recent year. Typically, even the worst team in such games wins 25 or 30% of them, but the Pistons cannot buy a victory in crunch time. Arithmetic and spirituality suggest that the Pistons eventually get a break when it matters most, but faith is hard to come by.

There are some bright spots hidden beneath the rubble. The brightest by a long shot is 2021 no 1 overall draftee Cade Cunningham, the 6-ft-6 guard who at least keeps the team watchable as he scores 23 points and doles out seven assists a night. Cunningham even has a promising player or two around him, like 2022 first-round pick Jalen Duren, a center averaging 13 points and 11 rebounds. But Duren has lost half his season so far to injury. Bojan Bogdanovic, the leading scorer, has played in 11 of the 30 games. Skilled shooters Alec Burks and Joe Harris have missed extensive time, too.

The Pistons hired coach Monty Williams on a record contract $78.5m contract this offseason. Photograph: Noah K Murray/AP

The Pistons are the league’s second-youngest team with an average age of 23.4, not much older than a few college outfits. Blend the youth and inexperience with the injuries and bad play in clutch moments, and you get a recipe for a bad ball club. But even the worst teams do not lose 27 in a row, and charting how the Pistons got to a place where that was even possible takes longer.

Ask their loyal remaining fans what has gone wrong, and you might get a thousand answers. But many revolve around coach Monty Williams, who signed a record contract worth $78.5m to join Detroit over the offseason. Williams has not fit what pieces he has together, and he has reportedly not gotten along easily with talented young guard Jaden Ivey. The Pistons have a disjointed look under the coach who was supposed to install some structure and creativity after four dreadful years in a row under ex-coach Dwane Casey. Given his contract, Williams will probably get some time to right the ship, but his tenure has started so dreadfully that making anything of it will be an uphill battle.

Like Casey before him, Williams, is dealing with the consequences of poor roster-building by Pistons executives. General manager Troy Weaver, who took the job in 2020, did well to land Cunningham. But that was easy enough when lottery balls put the top draft pick in his lap. Weaver’s current roster does not make a lot of sense, as it lacks a go-to scorer beyond Cunningham and does not have great shooting outlets for skilled guards to find in open space. The Pistons could have traded some of their current veterans for draft picks last year but didn’t, apparently hoping they could be competitive this year. At least in being wrong, Weaver hasn’t prevented his team from having great lottery odds yet again. Team owner Tom Gores sounds poised to find a new GM soon.

To the extent poor management is the problem, the Pistons are the inverse of their old selves. The franchise has had several long, unbroken runs of postseason appearances. It won back-to-back championships in 1989 and ‘90, and added another in 2004. The latter came in the midst of a run of six consecutive seasons of at least making the final of the Eastern Conference, with three different coaches helming the team in that time.

Back in the glory years, the Pistons had extraordinary grit and defensive ability, pairing shot-blocker Ben Wallace with hard-nosed, skilled guards Chauncey Billups and Rip Hamilton. Those Piston teams had great supporting players coming off the bench, like forwards Rasheed Wallace and Antonio McDyess. The Pistons of old had talent, but they also had an identity. Today’s team may have some talent, but if it has an identity other than that of one the worst teams ever, it has yet to show itself.

Pistons vs magic

— Franz Wagner scored 27 points, Paolo Banchero added 24 and the Orlando Magic handed the Detroit Pistons their 19th straight loss, 123-91 on Friday night.

Shot Chart

• Franz Wagner misses 4-foot two point shot
• Paolo Banchero misses layup
• Goga Bitadze makes 4-foot layup (Anthony Black assists)
• Goga Bitadze makes 1-foot dunk (Paolo Banchero assists)
• Goga Bitadze makes 1-foot dunk (Anthony Black assists)
• Anthony Black misses driving floating jump shot
• Goga Bitadze makes tip shot
• Killian Hayes blocks Paolo Banchero 's 13-foot two point shot
• Franz Wagner misses driving floating jump shot
• Paolo Banchero misses two point shot
• Paolo Banchero makes 8-foot two point shot
• Joe Ingles misses driving floating jump shot
• Gary Harris makes two point shot
• Paolo Banchero makes two point shot
• Gary Harris misses 23-foot three point shot
• Cole Anthony makes 7-foot driving floating jump shot (Goga Bitadze assists)
• Gary Harris makes driving layup (Cole Anthony assists)
• Goga Bitadze makes 2-foot layup (Joe Ingles assists)
• Joe Ingles makes 25-foot step back jumpshot
• Cole Anthony makes 3-foot layup (Joe Ingles assists)
• Joe Harris blocks Cole Anthony 's 3-foot driving layup
• Cole Anthony makes 5-foot driving floating jump shot
• Cole Anthony misses 10-foot pullup jump shot
• Caleb Houstan makes 26-foot three point jumper (Franz Wagner assists)
• Franz Wagner misses 26-foot three point jumper
• Cole Anthony misses 16-foot pullup jump shot
• Caleb Houstan misses 26-foot three point jumper
• Paolo Banchero makes 9-foot pullup jump shot
• Franz Wagner makes 2-foot driving floating jump shot (Cole Anthony assists)
• Franz Wagner makes 10-foot two point shot
• Franz Wagner makes driving layup
• Cole Anthony misses 24-foot three point jumper
• Franz Wagner misses driving floating jump shot
• Paolo Banchero makes 11-foot pullup jump shot
• Gary Harris makes 24-foot three point jumper (Cole Anthony assists)
• Gary Harris misses 23-foot three point jumper
• Franz Wagner makes 5-foot driving floating jump shot
• Paolo Banchero misses running pullup jump shot
• Gary Harris misses 25-foot three point jumper
• Paolo Banchero makes 17-foot pullup jump shot
• Franz Wagner misses 30-foot three point pullup jump shot
• Paolo Banchero makes driving layup
• Paolo Banchero misses 28-foot three point pullup jump shot
• Paolo Banchero misses driving floating jump shot
• Goga Bitadze misses tip shot
• Franz Wagner misses 10-foot jumper
• Franz Wagner makes 10-foot pullup jump shot
• Anthony Black misses 24-foot three point jumper
• Gary Harris misses 15-foot pullup jump shot
• Anthony Black makes layup
• Franz Wagner makes driving layup
• Franz Wagner makes 24-foot step back jumpshot
• Paolo Banchero makes 2-foot two point shot (Franz Wagner assists)
• Gary Harris makes 23-foot three point jumper (Franz Wagner assists)
• Franz Wagner misses two point shot
• Anthony Black makes layup (Goga Bitadze assists)
• Paolo Banchero makes 10-foot driving floating jump shot
• Goga Bitadze makes alley oop dunk shot (Gary Harris assists)
• Joe Ingles misses two point shot
• Paolo Banchero misses 25-foot three point jumper
• Joe Ingles misses driving floating jump shot
• Paolo Banchero misses 12-foot two point shot
• Joe Ingles makes 25-foot three point jumper (Paolo Banchero assists)
• Moritz Wagner makes 2-foot layup (Cole Anthony assists)
• Caleb Houstan makes 23-foot three point jumper (Cole Anthony assists)
• Paolo Banchero makes driving layup (Joe Ingles assists)
• Cole Anthony misses 25-foot three point jumper
• Cole Anthony makes driving layup
• Cole Anthony makes 25-foot three point shot (Joe Ingles assists)
• Joe Ingles misses 25-foot three point pullup jump shot
• Moritz Wagner misses tip shot
• Cole Anthony misses 13-foot pullup jump shot
• Franz Wagner makes 4-foot two point shot
• Cole Anthony makes 3-foot driving floating jump shot (Joe Ingles assists)
• Franz Wagner makes 2-foot two point shot
• Franz Wagner misses driving layup
• Franz Wagner makes dunk (Moritz Wagner assists)
• Franz Wagner makes dunk (Cole Anthony assists)
• Moritz Wagner misses layup
• Franz Wagner makes 25-foot three pointer
• Caleb Houstan misses 25-foot three point shot
• Chuma Okeke makes driving layup (Moritz Wagner assists)
• Jett Howard makes 3-foot layup (Caleb Houstan assists)
• Moritz Wagner makes 12-foot jumper (Jett Howard assists)
• Admiral Schofield makes 19-foot pullup jump shot
• Caleb Houstan misses 27-foot three point jumper
• Caleb Houstan misses 25-foot three point jumper
• Admiral Schofield misses 18-foot pullup jump shot
• Jett Howard makes 24-foot three point jumper (Anthony Black assists)
• Bojan Bogdanovic misses 10-foot two point shot
• Marvin Bagley III makes 1-foot driving dunk (Isaiah Stewart assists)
• Marvin Bagley III makes 5-foot two point shot
• Bojan Bogdanovic misses two point shot
• Cade Cunningham makes driving layup
• Cade Cunningham makes 26-foot three point jumper (Killian Hayes assists)
• Killian Hayes makes 11-foot pullup jump shot (Isaiah Stewart assists)
• Bojan Bogdanovic misses 27-foot three point jumper
• Killian Hayes makes two point shot (Cade Cunningham assists)
• Marvin Bagley III makes dunk (Cade Cunningham assists)
• Isaiah Stewart makes 25-foot three point jumper (Killian Hayes assists)
• Bojan Bogdanovic misses two point shot
• Goga Bitadze blocks Marvin Bagley III 's 5-foot two point shot
• Jaden Ivey misses 25-foot three point jumper
• Killian Hayes misses 25-foot three point jumper
• Joe Harris misses driving layup
• Ausar Thompson misses 25-foot three point jumper
• Jaden Ivey misses 25-foot three point jumper
• Killian Hayes makes 11-foot pullup jump shot
• Ausar Thompson misses 20-foot jumper
• Ausar Thompson misses driving layup
• Ausar Thompson misses tip shot
• Killian Hayes makes 12-foot pullup jump shot
• Alec Burks makes 23-foot three point jumper (Ausar Thompson assists)
• Isaiah Livers misses 22-foot three point jumper
• Cade Cunningham misses 23-foot three point jumper
• Goga Bitadze blocks Bojan Bogdanovic 's 2-foot driving layup
• Marvin Bagley III misses 8-foot hook shot
• Cade Cunningham misses 25-foot step back jumpshot
• Goga Bitadze blocks Alec Burks 's 7-foot layup
• Alec Burks makes driving layup (Cade Cunningham assists)
• Bojan Bogdanovic makes 14-foot step back jumpshot
• Killian Hayes makes 9-foot two point shot (Cade Cunningham assists)
• Cade Cunningham misses 18-foot pullup jump shot
• Goga Bitadze blocks Ausar Thompson 's 7-foot driving floating jump shot
• Killian Hayes misses 13-foot pullup jump shot
• Cade Cunningham makes driving layup (Bojan Bogdanovic assists)
• Bojan Bogdanovic misses 25-foot three point jumper
• Bojan Bogdanovic makes two point shot
• Bojan Bogdanovic makes 3-foot layup (Killian Hayes assists)
• Marvin Bagley III misses driving floating jump shot
• Marvin Bagley III makes tip shot
• Cade Cunningham makes driving layup
• Isaiah Stewart misses 23-foot three point jumper
• Killian Hayes misses 24-foot three point jumper
• Cade Cunningham misses 13-foot jumper
• Killian Hayes makes 16-foot step back jumpshot (Cade Cunningham assists)
• Alec Burks misses 12-foot step back jumpshot
• Cade Cunningham misses 18-foot pullup jump shot
• Alec Burks misses 24-foot three point jumper
• Jaden Ivey misses 25-foot three point jumper
• Alec Burks makes 26-foot three point shot (Ausar Thompson assists)
• Alec Burks makes driving layup
• Jaden Ivey makes 14-foot pullup jump shot
• Jaden Ivey makes 17-foot step back jumpshot
• Ausar Thompson misses 26-foot three point pullup jump shot
• Jaden Ivey misses 11-foot pullup jump shot
• Ausar Thompson misses 25-foot three point jumper
• Cade Cunningham makes 9-foot two point shot
• Cade Cunningham misses 25-foot step back jumpshot
• Bojan Bogdanovic makes 26-foot step back jumpshot (Killian Hayes assists)
• Killian Hayes makes layup (Cade Cunningham assists)
• Jaden Ivey misses 25-foot three point jumper
• Cade Cunningham makes 27-foot three point jumper
• Cade Cunningham makes 14-foot jumper
• Killian Hayes misses 11-foot pullup jump shot
• Cade Cunningham misses 27-foot three point pullup jump shot
• Isaiah Stewart misses 26-foot three point jumper
• Cade Cunningham makes 3-foot driving floating jump shot
• Ausar Thompson makes 5-foot two point shot (Marcus Sasser assists)
• Marcus Sasser makes 10-foot driving floating jump shot
• Ausar Thompson misses 26-foot three point jumper
• Isaiah Livers misses 17-foot pullup jump shot
• Isaiah Livers misses 25-foot three point jumper
• Ausar Thompson misses 9-foot two point shot
• Marcus Sasser misses 26-foot step back jumpshot
• Ausar Thompson misses 25-foot three point jumper
• Marcus Sasser makes 14-foot pullup jump shot
• Isaiah Livers misses 26-foot step back jumpshot
• Isaiah Livers misses 17-foot pullup jump shot
• Ausar Thompson makes driving layup (Isaiah Livers assists)

Regular Season Series

ORL leads 1-0

2023-24 Central Standings

2023-24 Southeast Standings

NBA News

As a result, they ended the quarter with a comfortable lead. The Magic, on the other hand, struggled to find their rhythm offensively. Their shots were not falling, and they struggled to generate open looks.

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Aaron Gordon attempted to provide a spark, but the Pistons' defense effectively contained him. Despite their defensive efforts, the Magic trailed by a significant margin at the end of the first quarter. In the second quarter, the Magic made some adjustments, tightening their defense and stepping up their offensive execution. Nikola Vucevic, the Magic's All-Star center, began to find his groove, utilizing his post moves and outside shooting to score efficiently. The Magic's improved play allowed them to trim the Pistons' lead and make it a competitive game. The third quarter was a back-and-forth battle, with both teams exchanging baskets. The game became more physical, and the intensity heightened as both teams fought for every possession. The Pistons relied heavily on Grant, who continued to carry the scoring load for his team, while the Magic found contributions from multiple players, spreading the offensive responsibility. As the game entered the fourth quarter, the tension rose, and each possession became crucial. The Pistons managed to maintain their lead, thanks to timely baskets and solid defense. The Magic continued to fight, but their lack of consistent offensive production hindered their chances of mounting a comeback. In the end, the Pistons emerged victorious, defeating the Magic by a score of 105-96. Jerami Grant led all scorers with an impressive performance, finishing with a game-high 29 points. Nikola Vucevic put up a valiant effort for the Magic, recording a double-double with 22 points and 12 rebounds. The game highlighted the Pistons' ability to execute their game plan effectively and capitalize on their opponent's weaknesses. The Magic, on the other hand, struggled to find their offensive rhythm and were ultimately unable to overcome their deficit. The outcome of this game was crucial for both teams' playoff aspirations. The Pistons secured an important win, while the Magic faced a setback in their pursuit of a postseason berth. Overall, it was an exciting and competitive matchup between two Eastern Conference teams striving for success..

Reviews for "Analyzing the Pistons' rebounding ability against the Magic"

1. John - 2/5 - I was really looking forward to watching the Pistons vs Magic game, but I was left disappointed. The game lacked intensity and the players seemed to be going through the motions. There were too many missed shots and turnovers, making it difficult to stay engaged. Overall, it was a lackluster performance from both teams that left me wanting more.

2. Sarah - 1/5 - The Pistons vs Magic game was a complete snooze-fest. The lack of competitiveness on the court was evident from the start. The players didn't seem motivated, and it felt like they were just going through the motions. The game lacked excitement and any meaningful action. I found myself checking my phone more often than watching the game. Definitely not worth the time investment.

3. Alex - 2/5 - I had high hopes for the Pistons vs Magic matchup, but it turned out to be a disappointment. The game lacked any standout moments or impressive plays. It felt like the teams were just going through the motions without any real purpose. The lack of intensity made the game hard to invest in, and I ended up losing interest early on. Definitely not a game I would recommend to any basketball fans.

4. Emily - 2/5 - The Pistons vs Magic game was a letdown. Both teams seemed to be going through the motions without any real passion or drive. There were too many missed shots and sloppy plays, which made it difficult to stay engaged. The lack of competitiveness made the game feel like a practice session rather than an exciting matchup. I was expecting more from these teams, but unfortunately, they failed to deliver.

Examining the recent trades that could affect the Pistons vs Magic game