Orlando Magic Coach Jamahl Mosley Preaching 'We' Over 'Me'
The Orlando Magic got back to its winnning ways with a one-sided 123-91 win over the Detroit Pistons on Friday at the Amway Center.
The victory, which was the Magic's eighth straight win at home, snapped a two-game losing skid. Orlando's depth was on full display with five players scoring in double-digits.
For Magic coach Jamahl Mosley, getting contributions from everyone that stepped on the court was a welcome sign and something he has emphasized since before the season started.
"We've said it from training camp it on, it's a 'we'," Mosley said. "No matter who it is, no matter who steps on that floor, they're ready to go and that's what it says about our coaching staff about these guys taking ownership of who we are. That's what you saw tonight."
Orlando Magic head coach Jamahl Mosley looks on during the second quarter against the Detroit Pistons at Amway Center.
Mike Watters-USA TODAY Sports
Franz Wagner led Orlando with 27 points and Paolo Banchero also had a strong performance with 24. Cole Anthony did a little bit of everything for the Magic off the bench with 16 points and six assists. Goga Bitadze also thrived on both sides of the ball, as he nearly finished with a double-double with 13 points and eight rebounds plus four blocks.
The Magic's depth is as important as it has been this season with Jalen Suggs, Jonathan Isaac and Markelle Fultz all out with injuries. Fultz has missed 14 straight games with left knee tendonitis, and Isaac has missed five of the Magic's last six games, including three straight with a sprained right ankle.
Suggs missed his first game of the season on Friday with a right ankle strain.
If Orlando is going to remain one of the best teams in the Eastern Conference, its depth will have to continue to shine. And with more performances like it had on Friday, it'd validate Mosley's message from day one on putting the team first.
The Magic will be back at the Amway Center on Monday at 7 p.m. ET when they face the Cleveland Cavaliers for the second time in three games. Cleveland beat the Magic 121-111 on Wednesday at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse.
