Detroit, MI
Beede’s Breakdown: How Magic found way to win at Detroit behind Banchero’s late-game heroics
If there’s one thing that’s clear about Paolo Banchero, it’s that he’ll find a way to win no matter the circumstances.
He reminded the Magic fanbase of just that Saturday night at Detroit when he drilled an 18-foot step back jump shot from the left side in the closing seconds and converted a free throw to lift Orlando (32-25) to victory 112-109 on the road.
Battling an illness as of late, Banchero clearly wasn’t himself throughout the night but that didn’t slow him down when it mattered the most.
While it was Banchero who hit the game winner, it took a group effort for the Magic to clinch the regular-season series over the Pistons (8-48) in the 3-point win that moved Orlando into sixth place in the East, above the mark for the Play-In Tournament.
Playing on the first night of back-to-back, Orlando had eight players score in double figures at Detroit, which tied the franchise record.
The Magic have a quick turnaround when they wrap up their 3-game road trip at Atlanta (24-32) on Sunday (Bally Sports Florida, 7).
Starting 5
For the second straight game, Mosley opened with Jalen Suggs, Gary Harris, Franz Wagner, Paolo Banchero and Wendell Carter Jr. against the Pistons.
That’s because the Magic were without Markelle Fultz (left knee injury maintenance) for a third consecutive contest.
In a balanced offensive attack that included scoring in the paint and from beyond the arc, all five starters finished in double-figures.
It was the backcourt of Suggs (2 of 3) and Harris (4 of 5) that offered efficient shooting from 3-point range while Banchero, Wagner and Carter pushed their way to the basket and got to the free throw line. The trio accounted for 10 of Orlando’s 14 made shots at the charity stripe.
Carter (11 points and 10 rebounds) notched a double-double while helping spread the floor with a pair of triples.
Second Unit
In a change from the last two games, Mosley used three big men and turned towards Goga Bitadze four minutes into the opening quarter.
Bitadze played all eight of his minutes in the first frame and offered Orlando more size near the rim. Despite limited minutes, Bitadze made the most of the early opportunity by recording 3 blocks, 2 offensive rebounds and 2 assists with 2 points on 1 of 3 shooting.
After Bitadze didn’t return to the floor, Mosley relied on his usual second unit for the remainder of the game with rookie Anthony Black, Cole Anthony, Joe Ingles, Jonathan Isaac and Moe Wagner coming off the bench.
Isaac made an impact on both ends with 12 points (2 of 2 from 3) to go with 6 rebounds, 2 steals and a block.
Although Anthony was inefficient (5 of 11 from the floor), he provided Orlando’s second unit scoring when it was needed by creating something out of nothing at times to finish with 13 points.
He added a team-high 7 assists, a handful of which led to points from Moe Wagner. The Magic reserve center led the bench with 14 points and 7 rebounds in only 17 minutes.
Rookie Watch
Black hit a corner 3 early in the second quarter and finished with 5 points in 22 minutes.
Finishing with Orlando’s best plus-minus (plus-8), the No. 6 overall pick offered Orlando reliable defense and used his length to his advantage to record a block, a steal and 2 rebounds.
Email Jason Beede at jbeede@orlandosentinel.com or follow him on X, known as Twitter, at @therealBeede.
Detroit, MI
Teenager injured in shooting near Detroit school, police say
A teenage male is recovering and police are investigating after a shooting near a school on the east side of Detroit on Friday night.
According to police, the incident happened at 8:28 p.m. on the 3400 block of St. Aubin Street, the same area where the Detroit Edison Public School Academy’s Early College of Excellence is located.
Officials said an altercation ensued inside a building on the block and continued outside. An individual then fired shots that struck the male, whose age has yet to be disclosed, according to police. He was taken to the hospital where he was in stable condition on Saturday.
According to The Detroit News, the altercation was a fight that broke out during Detroit Edison’s boys basketball game against Detroit University Prep.
As of Saturday afternoon, police haven’t shared whether any arrests have been made.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Duluth Police Department at 313-596-5740 or Crime Stoppers of Michigan at 1-800-773-2587.
Detroit, MI
Preview: February 28 vs. Detroit | Carolina Hurricanes
RALEIGH, N.C. – The Carolina Hurricanes will try to extend their point streak to a dozen games on Saturday, when they go head-to-head with the Detroit Red Wings.
—
When: Saturday, February 28
Puck Drop: 7:00 p.m. ET
Watch: FanDuel Sports Network South, FanDuel Sports Network App | Learn More
Listen: 99.9 The Fan, Hurricanes App
—
Canes Record: 37-15-6 (80 Points, 1st – Metropolitan Division)
Canes Last Game: 5-4 Win over the Tampa Bay Lightning on Thursday, Feb. 26
—
Red Wings Record: 34-19-6 (74 Points, T-2nd – Atlantic Division)
Red Wings Last Game: 2-1 Win (OT) over the Ottawa Senators on Thursday, Feb. 26
Detroit, MI
Terrion Arnold ‘maintains complete innocence’ in kidnapping, theft case
I represent Mr. Terrion Arnold in connection with an incident that allegedly occurred on February 4, 2026, in Tampa, Florida, which resulted in the arrest of five individuals on serious felony charges.
To be clear, Mr. Arnold had no involvement whatsoever in the activities that led to those arrests. He did not participate in, nor was he present for, any conduct related to the alleged offenses. There is no evidence in police reports, text messages, or witness statements that implicates Mr. Arnold in any way.
In fact, after direct communication with the lead prosecutor, it has been confirmed that no charges have been filed against Mr. Arnold in connection with this matter.
Recent media coverage has referenced an Order issued by Circuit Judge J. Logan Murphy, which improperly suggests Mr. Arnold’s involvement in the incident. That same Order also incorrectly identifies Ms. Devalle as Mr. Arnold’s girlfriend. Both assertions are false, misleading, and entirely unsupported by the record.
Mr. Arnold categorically denies these unfounded claims and maintains his complete innocence. He was not involved in the crimes allegedly committed on February 4, 2026, in Tampa, Florida.
We strongly urge members of the media to refrain from perpetuating inaccurate or speculative narratives. The facts are clear, and they do not support any claim of wrongdoing by Mr. Arnold.
-
World3 days agoExclusive: DeepSeek withholds latest AI model from US chipmakers including Nvidia, sources say
-
Massachusetts3 days agoMother and daughter injured in Taunton house explosion
-
Montana1 week ago2026 MHSA Montana Wrestling State Championship Brackets And Results – FloWrestling
-
Louisiana6 days agoWildfire near Gum Swamp Road in Livingston Parish now under control; more than 200 acres burned
-
Denver, CO3 days ago10 acres charred, 5 injured in Thornton grass fire, evacuation orders lifted
-
Technology1 week agoYouTube TV billing scam emails are hitting inboxes
-
Technology1 week agoStellantis is in a crisis of its own making
-
Politics1 week agoOpenAI didn’t contact police despite employees flagging mass shooter’s concerning chatbot interactions: REPORT