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
Lions place Kerby Joseph on IR, make 2 OL moves for Steelers game
The Detroit Lions have finally placed safety Kerby Joseph on injured reserve, effectively ending the All-Pro defender’s season.
Joseph has been dealing with a knee injury for essentially the entire season, but there was some brief hope he’d be able to return to the field. After suffering a setback during a recent practice, Joseph has been sidelined, and Detroit finally decided to end his season after he had missed the past eight games. Technically, Joseph would be eligible to return to the field if Detroit advances to the Divisional Round of the NFL playoffs, but that seems unlikely. Joseph’s season ends with 18 tackles in six games and three interceptions.
Additionally, the Lions have made several offensive moves to address current injuries. Notably, they have activated guard Christian Mahogany, who has been on injured reserve for six weeks after suffering a leg fracture against the Vikings. It’s quite possible he’ll return to his starting position at left guard, although coach Dan Campbell offered some caution on Friday.
“Yesterday, I thought he looked pretty good. Wasn’t perfect, but I thought he looked pretty good,” Campbell said. “And some of it’s going to be, I know he’s a little sore today, and how he feels in today’s practice. That’s what a lot of it’s going to come down to.”
The Lions have also elevated offensive lineman Kingsley Eguakun from the practice squad. That could be a bad sign for the availability of starting center Graham Glasgow. He’s been dealing with a knee injury that caused him to miss two practices this week and landed him with a questionable designation. The Lions now have several options at center, including Eguakun, Trystan Colon (who is dealing with a wrist injury of his own), and Michael Niese. Campbell said the team has been exploring all options in practice this week.
“We’ve obviously worked Colon because he’s been there. I know he’s got the wrist, but he was out there working with it yesterday,” Campbell said. “Just trying to get Graham off his feet. But I mean, we’ve worked Niese, we’ve worked Kingsley. We’ve kind of just hit all around, and we’re rolling the guards, too. So, it’s really been a little bit of a revolving door trying to get a number of guys ready because there’s a lot of flex going into this game right now.”
Lastly, the Lions also elevated tight end Giovanni Ricci from the practice squad for the second straight week as the Lions continue to be short-handed at tight end in the wake of injuries to Sam LaPorta and Brock Wright.
Detroit, MI
Detroit Lions running backs open up about life on and off the field
Detroit, MI
Detroit Fire Department brings Christmas joy to family who lost everything in house fire
DETROIT (WXYZ) — Christmas came early for a Detroit family of 10 after the Detroit Fire Department surprised them with a truck full of gifts, nearly a year after they lost their home and all belongings in a devastating fire.
On Jan. 6, Raychelle Womack and her family were living in their home on Santa Rosa Drive near Fullerton Street when it caught fire. All their possessions were destroyed in the blaze.
Watch Demetrios Sanders’ video report below:
Family’s Christmas saved after fire
“You try buying everything for a new baby and then you lose it all, on top of the other seven kids that you’ve got — that’s everything,” Womack said.
As the family continued recovering from the fire, questions remained about what Christmas could look like this year.
“Whatever we could make happen, that’s what we’re going to make happen,” Womack said.
WXYZ
That worry disappeared when the Detroit Fire Department and community partners visited the family’s new east side home with a truck full of Christmas gifts.
“To lose everything and then slowly but surely gain everything, it means a lot,” Womack said.
This marks the fourth year the Detroit Fire Department has brought Christmas cheer to families in need during the holidays.
WXYZ
“We know people lose everything in these fires, so if we can do anything to make their lives better, to make their lives easier, especially around the holiday season, we’re willing to do it,” said Chuck Simms, executive fire commissioner with the Detroit Fire Department.
Simms said the effort is driven by donations and brings joy not only to the families impacted but also to the first responders who participate.
“It’s just a great thing and nice thing for us to do,” Simms said.
WXYZ
With a Christmas tree now surrounded by gifts, Womack’s children are definitely looking forward to Christmas.
“It was nice and we appreciate it,” one child said.
WXYZ
For Womack, only one challenge remains.
“Now it’s making sure everything (gifts) stays closed until Christmas,” Womack said.
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This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.
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