ORLANDO MAGIC

Jules Bernard scored 22 points and grabbed nine rebounds off the bench and the Detroit Pistons defeated the Orlando Magic 102-86 Saturday in their Las Vegas Summer League finale at the Thomas & Mack Center. Charlie Moore collected 21 points, eight assists and five rebounds as the Pistons finished 3-2. Regulars Saddiq Bey, Isaiah Stewart and Saben Lee, among with rookies Jaden Ivey (sprained right ankle) and Jalen Duren did not play for Detroit. Braxton Key scored15 points for the Pistons, who shot 47 percent from 3-point distance (14-of-30) and outscore Orlando (2-3) 34-22 in the fourth quarter to erase a deficit.

Caleb Houstan, who spent one season at Michigan, has signed his rookie contract with the Orlando Magic, the team that drafted him last month. The Magic announced the signing on Sunday but did not release details of the contract. Smith reported that each of the first three years were for $2 million and the fourth year ($2.2 million) is a team option. He made five 3-pointers, scored 20 points, and added six rebounds in his debut, but has cooled off since. There have been no reports of Michigan’s other 2022 draft pick, Moussa Diabaté, signing with the Los Angeles Clippers.

Paolo Banchero showed the Orlando Magic plenty in his two Summer League contests. The No. 1 pick is getting the rest of summer league off, after averaging 20 points, six assists and five rebounds in his two games in Las Vegas. The Magic made the decision so they could evaluate other players who are with them this summer and see who may merit a roster spot or G League opportunity.

The Orlando Magic got a sudden-death overtime victory to remain unbeaten in the NBA Summer League at Las Vegas on Saturday.

Paolo Banchero's debut was a smashing success and that had nothing to do with the Orlando Magic winning their Summer League opener against the Houston Rockets in Las Vegas on Thursday night.

Here’s what happened in the first few seconds of this year’s NBA Summer League: Amid the squeaking of sneakers, and the noise generated by the people filling just about every lower-bowl seat in the arena, one voice could still be clearly heard. In the first moments of his first NBA game, Banchero was the loudest talker on defense for the Orlando Magic. “I think I did all right," Banchero said.

In Las Vegas, there’s always a big show happening.

Several former Michigan basketball players will suit up in the NBA’s Summer League, with the first taking the court on Tuesday (July 5). He played in Summer League last year with the Los Angeles Lakers (there were no games in 2020). The Magic open the Las Vegas portion of Summer League, where all 30 teams will participate, against Houston on Thursday (10 p.m. DeVante’ Jones will suit up for Oklahoma City, which starts in the Salt Lake City portion of the Summer League on Tuesday (9 p.m. He missed Summer League last year as he recovered from foot surgery.

Caleb Houstan will start his professional basketball career surrounded by several other former Wolverines. Houstan, who left Michigan after his freshman season, was drafted by the Orlando Magic on Thursday night (June 23) with the second pick of the second record, No. Houstan, who hails from Mississauga, Ontario, played high school basketball for Montverde Academy in Florida. Houstan became a particularly interesting prospect to draft prognosticators after declined an invitation to the pre-draft combine. He was a five-star recruit after reclassifying in high school, essentially skipping his senior year.

The Orlando Magic selected Duke freshman Paolo Banchero with the No. 1 pick in the NBA draft.

Paolo Banchero has been insisting for weeks that he believes he’s the best prospect in the NBA draft.

The Orlando Magic selected Duke freshman Paolo Banchero with the No. 1 pick in the NBA draft.

The 2022 NBA Draft is Thursday, and prospect Jaden Ivey says he wants to come to Detroit and play for the Pistons.

Gonzaga’s Chet Holmgren was wrapping up a multiday visit with the Orlando Magic.

Jabari Smith didn't attempt to minimize the significance of the first of his two planned pre-NBA draft workouts.

Former Michigan basketball player Franz Wagner was named to the NBA’s All-Rookie Team on Wednesday night. The 20-year-old from Germany played two seasons at Michigan, earning Big Ten All-Freshman Team honors in his first year. Last July, Orlando selected Wagner with the eighth overall pick in the NBA draft. The last Wolverine to make the NBA’s All-Rookie Team was Tim Hardaway Jr. in 2014. In Orlando, Wagner teamed with two former Wolverines: His old brother, Moe, and Ignas Brazdeikis.

The Orlando Magic won the NBA draft lottery and landed the No. 1 overall pick for the first time since they got Dwight Howard nearly two decades ago.

Detroit will look and try and end their three-game losing skid on Thursday night, and end March on a high note. Watch the Detroit Pistons on DirecTV StreamIn their loss to the Brooklyn Nets on Tuesday, the Pistons were in the thick of it for the entire game. Detroit will not try and play the role of spoiler, as the Philadelphia 76ers are in the heat of a race for the top spot in the Eastern Conference. Check out more stories about the Detroit Pistons here on MLiveWhat: NBA BasketballWho: Philadelphia 76ers (46-29) vs. Detroit Pistons (20-56)When: Thursday, March 31Time: 7:00 p.m. ETWhere: Little Caesars Arena (Detroit, Mich.)Channel: Bally Sports DetroitStream: DirecTV StreamCheck out the NBA standings and results on NBA.com

The Cleveland Cavaliers agreed to terms on a jersey patch sponsorship deal with hometown steel manufacturer Cleveland-Cliffs.

Despite a valiant come-from-behind effort on Monday night, the Detroit Pistons look to get back on the winning side of things after back-to-back losses when they welcome the Atlanta Hawks, who are battling for a postseason berth, on Wednesday night. This time, following losses to the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Portland Trail Blazers. Watch the Detroit Pistons on DirecTV StreamIn their latest game with the Trail Blazers, the Pistons trailed 67-52 at halftime. Check out more stories about the Detroit Pistons here on MLiveWhat: NBA BasketballWho: Atlanta Hawks (35-37) vs. Detroit Pistons (19-53)When: Wednesday, March 23Time: 7:00 p.m. ETWhere: Little Caesars Arena (Detroit, Mich.)Channel: Bally Sports DetroitStream: DirecTV StreamCheck out the NBA standings and results on NBA.com

Franz Wagner made three free throws with 12.2 seconds remaining and dunked on an inbounds play for the final points, leading the Orlando Magic to a 94-90 win over the Golden State Warriors.

Bey locked in after the Pistons allowed the Magic to open the game on a 9-0 run. He rattled off another eight points over the next minute and a half to deliver the Pistons their first lead of the night. He scored 21 points by the end of the first quarter, which gave the Pistons a 39-37 lead over the Magic. He became the second Pistons player in the last 25 seasons to score 30 points and make six three-pointers in a half. “I was just trying to just lock in and literally just play the game,” Bey said.

Saddiq Bey scored a career-high 51 points and the Detroit Pistons beat the Orlando Magic 134-120 on Thursday night end a four-game losing streak.

Pistons forward Saddiq Bey scored a career-high 51 points, leading the Pistons to a blow-out win vs. the Orlando Magic on Thursday night.

The injury woes of the Detroit Pistons don’t seem to be easing up as they get ready to face the Orlando Magic on Thursday. The Pistons will be down at least five players but could see some reinforcements. Detroit could get Cade Cunningham (non-COVID illness) back after the rookie missed the team’s matchup against the Miami Heat on Tuesday. Detroit and Orlando both have 18 wins this season and rank among the three worst teams in the league. The Pistons are just half a game ahead of the Magic at 28th overall, while the Houston Rockets rank 30th with just 17 wins.

Yet, Miami bounced back in the final quarter, holding off Detroit to win by a final score of 105-98. Watch the Detroit Pistons on DirecTV StreamJerami Grant was the only Piston to score over 20 in the loss, scoring 22 points on Tuesday night. The Magioc won the last matchup in Orlando, taking home a 119-103 victory, with the Pistons winning the first two in Detroit. Check out more stories about the Detroit Pistons here on MLiveWhat: NBA BasketballWho: Detroit Pistons (18-51) vs. Orlando Magic (18-52)When: Thursday, March 15Time: 7:00 p.m. ETWhere: Amway Center (Orlando, Fla.)Channel: Bally Sports DetroitStream: DirecTV StreamCheck out the NBA standings and results on NBA.com

Kyrie Irving scored a career-high 60 points, most in the Nets’ NBA history, to lead Brooklyn to a 150-108 victory over the Orlando Magic.

Kyrie Irving had 41 points at halftime for the Brooklyn Nets, most by an NBA player in the first two quarters since Kobe Bryant in 2003.

Here’s a look at some picks for NBA games on Monday, Feb. 28, 2022.

The No. 1 pick in the 2021 NBA Draft, Cade Cunningham, led Team Barry to a 25-20 victory over Team Isiah and Detroit Pistons second-year players Saddiq Bey and Isaiah Stewart in the Rising Stars Challenge championship.

The Detroit Pistons may have fought back on Friday night but the Orlando Magic’s hot start to the evening made the task difficult. The Pistons scored just 19 points in the first quarter, allowing the Magic to get out to a 20-point lead. They helped the Pistons outscore the Magic 32-28 in the second quarter as they carved into the lead. “I thought our second unit, cut it to (seven), I think it was in the second quarter and had the right approach. He’s looked comfortable as he leads the second unit and has made a few more aggressive attempts to get to the basket.

The Pistons starters scored just 11 points, with rookie Cade Cunningham going 0-of-7 in his first nine minutes. But it wasn’t the Pistons’ night. The Pistons’ starters seemed to find their footing allowing the Magic to outscore them by just one point in the third quarter. The Pistons shot 36.8 percent from the floor and made 10 of their 29 shot attempts from distance. By comparison, the Magic made near 50 percent of their shot and made 12 of their 25 shot attempts from distance.

After another tight game that saw them come out on the losing end, the Detroit Pistons have a great opportunity to get back on the winning track when they take on the last place team in the NBA, the Orlando Magic, on Friday night. The Pistons looked for redemption in their return home on Tuesday night, looking to avenge their loss in a rematch with the Denver Nuggets. Now Detroit takes on the only team remaining that has yet to hit the 10-win mark on the season. Check out more stories about the Detroit Pistons here on MLiveWhat: NBA BasketballWho: Detroit Pistons (11-36) vs. Orlando Magic (9-39)When: Friday, January 28Time: 7:00 p.m. ETWhere: Amway Center (Orlando, Fla.)Channel: Bally Sports DetroitStream: DirecTV StreamCheck out the NBA standings and results on NBA.com

Trey Lyles scored eight of his 16 points in the fourth quarter and the Detroit Pistons won for the third time in five games, beating the Orlando Magic 97-92 on Saturday night in a matchup of the NBA’s two worst teams.

DETROIT -- As the Orlando Magic threatened, the Detroit Pistons bench helped to clamp the brakes. Behind Trey Lyles electric start to the fourth quarter, the Pistons found a way to stave off the Magic and win 97-92 on Saturday night. But Gary Harris knocked down a triple and drove to the basket to bring the Magic within 86-85 of the Pistons with 5:34 remaining in the game. Cory Joseph tripled from the corner to extend the Pistons lead to four with 4:36 remaining in the corner. Ross ended up earning four trips to the free-throw line that kept the Magic within reach of the Pistons in the final two minutes.

The Detroit Pistons are back on a losing skid once again after a rough outing on Thursday night. They look to break the trend when they return home on Saturday night when they play host to the Orlando Magic. The Pistons won their first game of the season when they hosted the Magic back on October 30. Check out more stories about the Detroit Pistons here on MLiveWhat: NBA BasketballWho: Orlando Magic (7-32) vs. Detroit Pistons (7-30)When: Saturday, January 8Time: 7:00 p.m. ETWhere: Little Caesars Arena (Detroit, Mich.)Channel: Bally Sports DetroitStream: DirecTV StreamCheck out the NBA standings and results on NBA.com

Cade Cunningham and Franz Wagner are giving the Eastern Conference's bottom two teams reasons for optimism.

Jaylen Brown scored a career-high 50 points, rallying the Boston Celtics from 14 points down late in the fourth quarter to a 116-111 overtime victory over the Orlando Magic.

The Los Angeles Lakers rolled past the Orlando Magic 106-94 for their fifth victory in seven games.

Reggie Jackson hit a step-back jumper with 2.2 seconds remaining to give the Los Angeles Clippers a 106-104 victory over the Orlando Magic on Saturday.

Stephen Curry keeps letting it fly from any spot on the floor, and he's suddenly within striking distance of overtaking Ray Allen as the NBA's all-time leader in made 3-pointers. Curry had seven more 3s on the way to 31 points and eight assists, Andrew Wiggins hit a career-high eight 3s and finished with 28 points, and the Golden State Warriors beat the Orlando Magic 126-95 on Monday night. Curry swished a half-court shot to beat the first-quarter buzzer and wound up shooting 8 of 16.

Kevin Durant scored 30 points and James Harden had his 59th career triple double in the Brooklyn Nets’ 123-90 victory over the Orlando Magic on Wednesday night.

The Pistons (1-4) handed the Magic (1-6), who was on the second night of a back-to-back, a 110-103 loss. 5 overall pick Jalen Suggs scoring back-to-back layups in transition to cut the Pistons lead to one point. The bench ended the night with 59 points to help the Pistons to one of their better all-around games. They got out to a five-point lead with the hustle of Cade Cunningham, who made his NBA debut. He ended the night with 22 points, seven rebounds and five assists despite dealing with right oblique soreness.

Jeremi Grant scored 22 points, No. 1 pick Cade Cunningham added seven rebounds in his NBA debut and the Detroit Pistons beat the Orlando Magic 110-103 for their first win of the season.

Despite another great offensive performance, the Detroit Pistons still remain winless in the opening weeks of the 2021-22 season. The Pistons took on a tough Philadelphia 76ers team on Thursday night, in Philly, and played tough throughout the game. Kelly Olynyk played solid off the bench, grabbing five boards and posting 14 points. Check out more stories about the Detroit Pistons here on MLiveWhat: NBA BasketballWho: Orlando Magic (1-5) vs. Detroit Pistons (0-4)When: Saturday, October 30Time: 7:00 p.m. ETWhere: Little Caesars Arena (Detroit, Mich.)Channel: Bally Sports DetroitStream: DirecTV StreamCheck out the NBA standings and results on NBA.com

One former Michigan basketball player will see the court on opening night, while others will follow in the coming days. Below is an attempt at a comprehensive list of Michigan men’s basketball alumni playing professional basketball this season. Ignas Brazdeikis, Orlando Magic“Iggy” played with three teams last season, but his longest and final stint was eight games with Orlando to close the season. Franz Wagner, Orlando MagicAfter two seasons at Michigan, Wagner was selected with the eighth overall pick in July’s draft. Moe Wagner, Orlando MagicWagner bounced around at the end of last season but finished strong with Orlando.

The Detroit Pistons never trailed in their matchup against the Orlando Magic at the MGM Summer League in Las Vegas. Both Garza and Lee often played on the same team in the Pistons’ camp leading up to Summer League. Pickett has shown that he has gotten a lot more comfortable in Detroit’s system after the team bumped him into the starting lineup in the third Summer League game. After missing the first Summer League game, the Lithuanian guard had trouble knocking down shots and finding his rhythm. The win caps off a shaky start to Summer League and the Pistons can now look ahead to training camp in September.

The former Michigan basketball player and Kalamazoo Central graduate was drafted by the Detroit Pistons on Thursday night in the second round (No. Livers also is the second pick of the Pistons in the 2021 draft behind No. He will reunite with former Michigan head coach John Beilein, who is now on the Pistons’ staff as a senior advisor. Livers had a solid four-year career with the Wolverines, appearing in 119 career games and starting 69. The Pistons are slated to make two more picks in the second round: No.

Jamahl Mosley has agreed to become the new coach of the Orlando Magic.

Steve Clifford will not be back as coach of the Orlando Magic next season.

Seth Curry scored 20 points, Joel Embiid had 13 points and 11 rebounds and the Philadelphia 76ers clinched the top seed for the playoffs in the Eastern Conference with a 122-97 victory over the Orlando Magic on Friday night.

DETROIT -- The Detroit Pistons and Orlando Magic faced off in a game that had some postseason implications. But the energy faded and the Magic seized the opportunity to surge ahead with a big hand from its bench. The Pistons to the Magic 119-112 despite a surge in the fourth quarter that closed a 14-point deficit to three. Pistons’ energy zapped after the first quarter: Detroit got out to a good start. It took the right shots, drove into the paint and limited the Magic to seven made shots from the field.

Mo Bamba had 22 points and 15 rebounds — both career highs — and the Orlando Magic beat the Detroit Pistons 119-112 on Monday night.

On the first night of back-to-back home games, the Pistons fell to the Magic 119-112 at Little Caesars Arena. The Magic went on to outscore the Pistons 30-22 in the second quarter and 37-30 in the third to build a solid lead. Rookie Saddiq Bey scored eight straight points to bring the Pistons within three points. Bey is the first Pistons rookie with consecutive games of five or more 3-pointers made. Diallo scored seven of his 16 points in the final quarter and had seven of the Pistons’ 42 rebounds.

Detroit Pistons rookie Saddiq Bey scored 26 points and knocked down five 3-pointers, adding to his rookie record, in the loss to the Magic on Monday.

Orlando Magic coach Steve Clifford has cleared NBA health and safety protocols for COVID-19 and will return to the bench Wednesday night against Boston.

The Detroit Pistons take on the Orlando Magic at 7 p.m. The game will be broadcast on Bally Sports Detroit.

NBA issues second $3 million in grants for Black communities

Just like that, the Bulls have another All-Star to go with Zach LaVine. They brought in center Nikola Vucevic from the Orlando Magic ahead of the NBA trade deadline Thursday — a busy day that saw them acquire five players while sending four to other teams. Among those leaving Chicago: Wendell Carter Jr. and Otto Porter Jr.

Jenna Schroeder and Natalie Sago made up two-thirds of the officiating crew that night. She started refereeing when she was 17 to make some extra money, but now it’s her dream job and she’s breaking down barriers. There are currently five full-time women as referees in the NBA and two others who are not on staff during this season. Schroeder said women empowering women and supporting each other is how to break into male-dominated worlds. “I want my daughter to think her mom is strong enough to break barriers and do whatever she has to do,” Schroeder said.

Orlando Magic center Nikola Vucevic, right, grabs a pass that was over the head of Phoenix Suns center Deandre Ayton (22) during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, March 24, 2021, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)All-Star forward Nikola Vucevic is being traded from the Orlando Magic to the Chicago Bulls, a person with knowledge of the deal said Thursday. Vucevic and Al-Farouq Aminu are going to the Bulls in exchange for Wendell Carter Jr. and two future first-round selections, the person told The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the deal was still pending NBA approval. The deal would appear to be the start of a rebuild for the Magic, with Vucevic unquestionably the team's best player for the past several seasons. He also has two full seasons left after this one on his contract, a four-year, $100 million deal signed in 2019. Vucevic is in his 10th NBA season, the last nine of which have been with the Magic.

Dallas Mavericks' Luka Doncic walks off the court following the team's NBA basketball game against the Oklahoma City Thunder in Dallas, Wednesday, March 3, 2021. It was the sixth game of the season of at least 30 points for Doncic, who turned 22 on Sunday. The second missed game of the season for Doncic was Dallas' last before the All-Star Game on Sunday in Atlanta. Carlisle said Doncic has been battling a back issue recently and has worn a heat massage belt in two recent practices. Ad“It's something he needs to take a game,” Carlisle said.

National Basketball Association star Luka Doncic gave himself a birthday gift – an equity stake in sports nutrition maker BioSteel. The Dallas Mavericks star joined the growing list of pro athletes with an ownership stake in the company as part of a multi-year endorsement deal. Terms of Doncic's equity stake in BioSteel were not provided. The company added National Football League stars Patrick Mahomes and DeAndre Hopkins to its equity roster in 2020. In 2019, cannabis firm Canopy Growth purchased a majority stake in BioSteel.

Strong on Sunday with 12 points, five assists and three steals, Lee scored 13 points in nthe first half Tuesday, keying the Pistons’ strong start. Dennis Smith Jr. added 14 points for the Pistons, who shot 46.6% despite 10-for-34 shooting from 3-point range. He returned in the second period and made just 4 of 14 shots in the game. ALL-STAR AGAINVucevic got an emotional lift prior to tipoff when news broke that the center was chosen as a reserve for the March 7 All-Star Game. Vucevic’s biggest area of improvement has been his 3-point shooting.

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Nikola Vucevic had 37 points and 11 rebounds, Evan Fournier added a season-high 29 points and the Orlando Magic beat the Detroit Pistons 105-96 on Sunday night. The Magic have won three in a row, their longest since opening the season 4-0. Vucevic had his seventh 30-point game of the season, two days after his third career triple-double. Jerami Grant bounced back from his poorest shooting game of the season in Memphis on Friday by scoring 24 points for the Pistons. HEROES HONOREDThe Magic honored 500 frontline workers from AdventHealth and the Orlando community on Sunday as part of their “Healthcare Heroes Night.”

Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) drives between Orlando Magic forward Dwayne Bacon (8) and center Nikola Vucevic (9) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, Feb. 14, 2021, in Phoenix. That made a drama-free blowout over the Orlando Magic a welcome change Sunday night. Devin Booker scored 27 points, Mikal Bridges added 21 and the Suns cruised to their sixth straight victory, beating the short-handed Magic 109-90 in a game that was never particularly close. “We did what we had to do to win the game,” Suns coach Monty Williams said. He shot 10 of 16 from the field against the Magic ... Deandre Ayton added 10 points and 13 rebounds.

Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry, left, dribbles against Orlando Magic forward Gary Clark during the first half of an NBA basketball game in San Francisco, Thursday, Feb. 11, 2021. Curry knocked down 10 3-pointers on the way to 40 points and also contributed eight rebounds and five assists, leading the Golden State Warriors past the undermanned Magic 111-105 on Thursday night. “I just told him he looks great, he looks quick, he looks healthy, he looks like he’s loving it,” Clifford said. Nikola Vucevic had 25 points, 13 rebounds and five assists as the Magic lost a third straight game, seventh in eight and ninth of 11. ... Golden State hasn't lost two in a row at home this season.

Toronto Raptors guard Fred VanVleet, left, drives around Orlando Magic guard Cole Anthony (50) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2021, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)ORLANDO, Fla. – Fred VanVleet set a franchise record with 54 points and hit a career-best 11 3-pointers as the Toronto Raptors beat the short-handed Orlando Magic 123-108 on Tuesday night. AdNorman Powell had 23 points for Toronto, and Kyle Lowry posted a triple-double with 14 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists. Orlando, which has lost 12 of 14, tried almost every guard on its roster against the 6-foot-1 VanVleet with little to no success. AdMagic: Orlando was without Gordon, who severely sprained his left ankle later in Sunday’s game against Toronto. Magic: Orlando hosts Chicago on Friday and Saturday in a two-game set.

He had no practice time with the Nets and sure didn't need it, becoming the first player in franchise history to have a triple-double in his debut. Durant made five 3-pointers in his 10th game back following an 18-month layoff after rupturing his Achilles tendon in the 2019 NBA Finals. The Nets might still be even better when they get back Kyrie Irving, who missed his sixth straight game after leaving the team last week for personal reasons. Nikola Vucevic had 34 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists for the short-handed Magic, who lost their fifth straight. Nets: Durant has scored 25 or points in nine straight games, setting a new franchise record.

On Wednesday, Caris LeVert was traded from the NBA’s Brooklyn Nets to the Indiana Pacers as part of the reported four-team deal that sent former league MVP James Harden from Houston to Brooklyn. Two members of last year’s Michigan team who went undrafted have joined G League teams. Zavier Simpson was chosen by the Oklahoma City Blue with the seventh pick in Monday’s G League draft. Simpson’s agent told MLive at the time that Simpson, not the team, decided he should leave and that more clarity on the NBA and G League seasons influenced the decision. Teske, a 7-foot-1 center, appeared in a preseason game with the Magic but, like Simpson, was waived before the season.

The team confirmed after the game that Fultz tore his ACL. “It’s a huge blow for us,” said Magic center Nikola Vucevic, whose team also will be without standout forward Jonathan Isaac this season because of an ACL tear. 1 overall pick in the 2017 draft as he led the Magic to a quick start this season. Terrence Ross scored 20 points and hit five 3-pointers to lead the Magic, who beat the Cavaliers for a second time in three nights. Collin Sexton scored 21 points for Cleveland, his eighth straight game with at least 20 points to start the season.

Orlando Magic guard Markelle Fultz (20) shoots as Washington Wizards forward Isaac Bonga (17) and forward Deni Avdija (9) defend in the fourth quarter of an NBA basketball game Saturday, Dec. 26, 2020, in Washington. (Geoff Burke/Pool Photo via AP)WASHINGTON – The Orlando Magic beat Washington 130-120 on Saturday night, overcoming another triple-double by Russell Westbrook in his home debut for the Wizards. Nikola Vucevic had 22 points and 17 rebounds, and Markelle Fultz added 21 points to help the Magic win its second straight to start the season. ... Two-way rookie guard Cassius Winston (hamstring strain) was inactive but has returned to practice…UP NEXTThe Magic and Wizards will complete their back-to-back in Washington on Sunday. It is the only meeting between the two Southeast division foes in the first half of the NBA schedule release.

Orlando Magic coach Steve Clifford talks to players during a timeout in the first half of the team's NBA preseason basketball game against the Atlanta Hawks on Friday, Dec. 11, 2020, in Atlanta. The NBA preseason — a truncated 49-game, nine-day sprint — opened Friday with a five-game slate, action returning to NBA arenas for the first time in exactly nine months. 8 pick Obi Toppin of the Knicks, got their first NBA minutes. Paul George had 10 for the Clippers and Kawhi Leonard managed three in 14 minutes. Both teams shot exactly 30 for 84 from the field, and none of the Clippers' starters logged even 15 minutes.

Game 1 of the Eastern Conference semifinal matchup between the top-seeded Bucks and fifth-seeded Heat is Monday night in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. Milwaukee needed five games to dispatch Orlando in a series that ended Saturday; the Heat swept Indiana in the first round. Were not reinventing the whole wheel on how we prepare for a game, Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. Its going to be a great series, Bucks center Brook Lopez said. REGULAR-SEASON SERIESMiami won the season series 2-1.

The rescheduled Game 5 of the Bucks' series against Orlando began Saturday as the NBA postseason resumed after a historic stoppage that players hope will bring change in their communities. “It was a moment in which the world needed and obviously we know this is going to be a long, ongoing process,” Bucks guard Wesley Matthews said. Matthews said he was putting on his uniform shorts about 20 minutes before the game was set to begin Wednesday when the Bucks decided they wouldn't play. The Magic refused to accept the forfeit and NBA players stood behind the Bucks, even though some were frustrated the Bucks acted alone without consulting them. Matthews apologized for that but said the aftermath has confirmed for the Bucks that they made the right decision.

Williams scored all 12 of his points on 3-pointers, and Brook Lopez added 16 points for Milwaukee, which won four straight after dropping the opener. Nicola Vucevic had 22 points and 15 rebounds for Orlando, while Evan Fournier added 18 points. Middleton followed with a fade from the top of the key, Williams added another 3 and Middleton's free throw pushed the Bucks' lead back to 105-93 with 5:24 left. Orlando stayed close into the second quarter and was within six points when Marvin Williams 3 began a 23-12 Bucks run to end the half. Bucks: Outscored Orlando in the paint, 42-32 and finished with 16 3s on 45 attempts.

WASHINGTON President Donald Trump said Thursday that the NBA has become like a political organization," criticizing the league the day after player protests over police brutality led to the postponement of playoff games. The president said in a radio interview this month that NBA players were very nasty and very dumb for kneeling during the national anthem to protest social injustice. The NBA announced Thursdays scheduled playoffs were postponed, but the league hoped to resume play Friday or Saturday. Theyve become like a political organization, and thats not a good thing, Trump told reporters Thursday, noting that the league's ratings are down from previous seasons. Not everyone in Trump's circle was critical of the NBA players move.

Players had been discussing boycotting games in the bubble after the shooting of Blake by police in Kenosha, Wisconsin. Some things are bigger than basketball," Bucks senior vice president Alex Lasry tweeted. There are three other playoff games scheduled Thursday. Several NBA players, including the Lakers' LeBron James, tweeted out messages demanding change and the Boston Celtics' official Twitter account did the same. Change is coming.Magic players and referees were on the basketball court for the game but Milwaukee never took the floor.

(AP Photo/Ashley Landis, Pool)It was only a week ago when the sky was falling on the Milwaukee Bucks and Los Angeles Lakers. The Bucks lead the Orlando Magic 3-1; the Lakers lead the Portland Trail Blazers 3-1. The bottom line is weve come out and competed so much harder.The wake-up call helped the Lakers as well. James teams went 5-5 in his first 10 series-clinching opportunities; theyre 30-5 in those situations since. NEED TO KNOW: If the Bucks win, the Eastern Conference first round would be completed in just 17 games.

Middleton scored 18 of his 21 points in the fourth quarter and finished with 10 rebounds after being held to one field goal in the first three quarters on 1-of-9 shooting. Wesley Matthews added 12 points for the Bucks, who can close out the Magic on Wednesday. ... We had to pick up our intensity.Nikola Vucevic continued his strong play for the Magic, finishing with 31 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists. Terrence Ross had 19 points and seven rebounds off the bench. The top-seeded Bucks led by three entering the fourth quarter before Middleton came alive.

Terrence Ross scored 18 points, Gary Clark added 15 and D.J. Augustin had 11 points and 11 assists for the eighth-seeded Magic, who took a 1-0 lead in the best-of-seven series. Giannis Antetokounmpo finished with 31 points, 17 rebounds and seven assists for Milwaukee, but was held without a field goal over the final 11 minutes. The Bucks came into the postseason as the favorites to win their first NBA title since 1971 despite finishing 3-5 in seeding games. But their sluggish play in the NBA bubble at Disney World carried over into the postseason.

If that wasnt enough, the quality of play is so good that its almost like the NBA hadnt stopped playing for 4-1/2 months. In all honestly, its better than I was expecting ... talking about all the teams in general, San Antonio coach Gregg Popovich said. So, you see some of the talents these guys have are coming out.The numbers inside the bubble are ridiculous. Try 36 points again, 18 rebounds and eight assists in the Bucks loss to Houston on Sunday night. The Rockets beat the Mavs 153-149 in overtime Friday and then tried 61 3-pointers to tie an NBA regulation-game record Sunday.

He wore his Magic jersey and not the Black Lives Matter T-shirt that other players have had on for the anthems so far in the NBAs season restart at Walt Disney World. Teammates supported the decision, said the person, who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because Isaac had yet to discuss his decision publicly. Isaac, an ordained minister, has a history of being active with various charities and churches. Isaac was the first player to stand for the anthem in the restarted season. The NBA has had a rule since the early 1980s saying players must stand for the anthem.

They extended their winning streak to four and moved back ahead of the Nets into seventh place in the Eastern Conference. The Magic outscored the Nets 75-43 in the middle two quarters, allowing them to overcome some shaky defense at the start and finish. So Brooklyn started two players who hadn't started an NBA game this season one who never had. Veteran Jamal Crawford, signed as a substitute player after not playing in the NBA this season, did not play. Nets: Play Washington on Sunday.

Los Angeles Clippers 99, Orlando Magic 90The Los Angeles Clippers defeated the Orlando Magic, with Lou Williams leading the way with 22 points, while Paul George had 18 points for the winning squad. Vucevic led the way for the Magic with 18 points and 10 rebounds. High flyer Aaron Gordon had 13 points, seven rebounds, three assists and one block. Nikola Jokic added 16 points, seven rebounds and seven assists. Troy Brown added 12 points and six rebounds, while former Piston, Ish Smith had 10 points and two rebounds.

The NBA is set to begin pre-season scrimmages in the bubble at Disney World in Orlando. Los Angeles Clippers vs. Orlando Magic -- 3 p.m. ESTThe Los Angeles Clippers bring back superstars Kawhi Leonard and Paul George while the Orlando Magic bring back high flyer Aaron Gordon. Sacramento Kings vs. Miami Heat -- 8 p.m. ESTThe Sacramento Kings have to rally back after losing star forward Marvin Bagley III to a foot injury for the season. With Jimmy Butler and rookie Tyler Herro, the Heat bring some fire players. The NBA will be using 10-minute quarters instead of the usual 12 minutes for the scrimmages.

FILE - In this Jan. 15, 2020, file photo, Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James, right, shoots as Orlando Magic center Nikola Vucevic defends during the second half of an NBA basketball game, in Los Angeles. The Milwaukee Bucks and Los Angeles Lakers already have just about guaranteed themselves the top two playoff seeds and face a delicate balancing act when the NBA returns to action. So the postseason races are still going in many cases, but the individual award chases are now complete. Statistical championships, such as the scoring, rebounding, assist and steal titles, are technically up for grabs through the end of the seeding games in mid-August. The league announced that portion of the plan when the schedules for the eight seeding games were released last month.

I think our defense was exceptional in the second half, the Detroit coach said. Casey shouldnt get much argument from the Orlando Magic about that. They were held to 15 points in the third quarter and 33 in the second half of Detroits 103-88 win Monday night. I thought in the first half we did a good job; the second half we just got away from it. The Magic led by 11 early in the second quarter, but Detroit quickly erased that deficit, and Orlando led 55-53 at halftime.

Casey shouldnt get much argument from the Orlando Magic about that. They were held to 15 points in the third quarter and 33 in the second half of Detroits 103-88 win Monday night. Luke Kennard scored 20 points, and Blake Griffin added 17 to lead the Pistons past the short-handed Magic. I thought in the first half we did a good job; the second half, we just got away from it. The Magic led by 11 early in the second quarter, but Detroit quickly erased that deficit, and Orlando led 55-53 at halftime.

Orlando Magic co-owner on his off-court battle with cancer Orlando Magic co-founder and Senior Vice President Pat Williams has a new book called "The Mission is Remission" about his battle with multiple myeloma, a form of cancer. Williams joins the "CBS This Morning" co-hosts to discuss the lessons he has learned from his three-year struggle with the disease.