Pistons vs. Magic final score: Pistons fall flat in second half, lose 102-89

The Pistons started sluggishly in Orlando, but put together a 14-4 run to end the first half to draw to a 50-50 tie with the Magic.

With nine and change left in the fourth, the Pistons — by way of not getting to shooters and bogging down on offense — found themselves down 86-73. They quickly cut it to eight, but things didn’t get a whole lot better from then on. Orlando was always in control and came out victorious 102-89.

Veteran stretch four Marreese Speights scored 16 (on 13 shots). He came into the game averaging 6.8 per game. Elfrid Payton, Sean Corp’s main squeeze on the point guard market, scored 19 to go along with eight rebounds and eight assists. Evan Fournier was also a thorn in the side of Detroit, scoring 17 with five assists.

The Pistons bench was a tremendous mess the entire night, shooting a combined 3-for-22 from the floor. Andre Drummond’s defense at times was quite impressive, while other times it was non-existent. I guess you just have to give credit to the hungry Magic with them having lost nine straight coming in.

Pistons will come home and play the San Antonio Spurs this Saturday.