ORLANDO, Fla. -- The Orlando Magic began 2014 unable to buy a win on the road. They ended the year seemingly unable to get one at home.
Coming off consecutive victories at Charlotte and Miami, the Magic took a step backward Tuesday night by getting trounced 109-86 by the Detroit Pistons. The loss dropped the Magic's home record 4-10, compared to 9-12 in supposedly less friendly confines.
The Pistons, who improved to 5-4 since ending a 13-game losing streak and 3-0 since they waived forward Josh Smith, looked like the fresher team throughout the game. Considering the Magic were playing for the fourth time in five nights, that did not come as a complete surprise.
Even so, the way in which the Magic were outworked on the boards and dominated inside are a cause for concern. On top of that, they missed 11 of their first 12 3-point attempts and wound up 4 of 20 from that distance.
The Magic trailed 54-47 at halftime after Jodie Meeks came off the Pistons' bench to make all six of his 3-pointers in the second quarter. As prolific as Meeks was, center Andre Drummond was every bit as important through three quarters with 17 points, 22 rebounds and three blocked shots. Had the Pistons not been so far ahead, Drummond could have made a run at the single-game record for rebounds against the Magic of 27 set by former Piston Dennis Rodman in 1992.
For only the second time this season, Magic center Nikola Vucevic failed to grab an offensive rebound. The Magic were outrebounded 54-42 and also had nine of their shots blocked.
THE TURNING POINT
The Pistons were never threatened after building an 18-point lead in the third quarter by going on a 15-3 run which included dunks by Drummond and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and ended with Brandon Jennings' 3-pointer.
THE DIFFERENCE MAKER
Meeks ended up 9 of 10 from 3-point range and finished with 34 points. His previous high in eight games after coming back from a stress fracture in his lower back was 20.
STAT OF THE GAME
Meeks' 20 points in the second quarter were the most by an opposing player against the Magic in any period this season. Charlotte's Kemba Walker had 19 in the third quarter Saturday night.
WHAT'S NEXT
Friday night vs. Brooklyn, 7 p.m.
You can follow Ken Hornack on Twitter @HornackFSFla or email him at khornack32176@gmail.com.
