DETROIT — The Magic believe they’re close to cracking the code of pushing the pace on offense and still playing high-quality defense on the other end.
The right combination, as well as Orlando‘s second win of the year, will have to wait at least another night after the Pistons handed Jamahl Mosley‘s squad its fourth straight loss, 135-116, Wednesday at Little Caesars Arena.
Despite Paolo Banchero (24 points) and Franz Wagner (22) combining for 46 points, the Magic allowed Detroit to run all over them in the second half when Cade Cunningham, a Montverde Academy product, led all scorers with 30 points and 10 assists.
Mosley had stressed a fast start in the games leading up to Wednesday and the Magic found that when they jumped out to an early double-digit lead. The Pistons (3-2), however, took complete control in the second half, outscoring Orlando 70-52 in the final two frames.
The Magic (1-4) have a quick turnaround as they travel to Charlotte for a Thursday-night matchup with the Hornets.
Starting 5
Banchero and Wagner were joined Wendell Carter Jr., Desmond Bane and Jalen Suggs (8 points) as the first five on the court against the Pistons.
Wagner hit his first three attempts from beyond the arc when he posted 14 points in the first half.
Banchero missed all three of his long-range tries but forced his way to the free throw line early. He dished out 7 assists, 5 of which came in the first quarter, which underscores how difficult it was for the Magic to move the ball the rest of the way.
In fact, Orlando notched 14 of its 22 assists in the first half before its offense faltered.
Bane continued to struggle from distance as he made only 1 of his 3 attempts. He shot 3 for 13 from the field for just 10 points.
Carter picked up his third foul with 3:25 left in the second quarter and fouled out at the 8:30 mark of the fourth.
Bench bounces back
After scoring just 24 points Monday at Philadelphia, Orlando’s reserves responded with 25 in the first half against the Pistons.
That included Tristan da Silva (15 points) sinking his first pair of triples and Goga Bitadze having success early around the rim (4 for 4 with 8 points at the break).
They were joined by Anthony Black, Tyus Jones, Jonathan Isaac, Jett Howard and rookies Noah Penda and Jase Richardson off the bench.
Black struggled from distance, shooting 1 for 6 beyond the arc. He finished with 10 points in 24 minutes.
Jones, who was a key free-agent signing over the summer, played just 9 minutes and hit one triple.
Free points
Although a point of emphasis from Mosley for multiple seasons has been to defend without fouling, the Magic failed to do that against Detroit.
The Pistons shot 16 for 18 from the charity stripe in the first half alone. Detroit ended at 30 for 34.
Orlando also had success getting to the line but failed to capitalize on its trips. The Magic missed 6 free throws (12 for 18) before the break and wound up 28 of 40.
Banchero missed 7 free throws and Wagner 4.
In a 19-point loss, the Magic missed 14 free throws.
Rookie watch
Magic second-round pick Noah Penda saw the court in the first quarter for the second straight game.
The French forward played just three minutes in the opening frame but later returned in the third quarter.
Penda was a non-factor when he ended with 4 points in 12 minutes. First-round draft picked Jase Richardson checked into the game with 3:41 left and the final result determined.
Jason Beede can be reached at jbeede@orlandosentinel.com