Wendell Carter Jr. Game-Winner Pushes Magic Over Pistons

ORLANDO - The Orlando Magic is starting the second half of the season on the right foot, beating the Detroit Pistons 108-106 at Amway Center on Thursday night.

The game came down to the final possession, where Wendell Carter Jr. tipped in a game-winner as the buzzer sounded to push the Magic on top.

The two teams looked a little rusty in the first half, with the Pistons (40.5 percent) and Magic (34 percent) struggling to score.

That began to change in the third quarter, when the Magic caught fire amidst an 18-0 run to take a double-digit lead. But the Magic's lead was gone in a matter of minutes as the Pistons put together a 14-0 run in their favor.

With the game of runs, it set up the fourth quarter as the main event. The Magic and Pistons traded blows, never building a lead of more than five points, but the game came down to the final possession, where Pistons rookie guard Jaden Ivey tied the game with 4.5 seconds to go.

Then, Carter worked his Magic and pushed Orlando to victory.

Franz Wagner led the way for the Magic with 21 points, while Cole Anthony came up big with 15 off the bench. Wendell Carter Jr. also put in work, notching a double-double with 14 points and 12 rebounds.

While the win wasn't the prettiest, Orlando is at the point during the season where it will take the victories however they can come. And tonight's is crucial as the team looks to make an unlikely run to the postseason.

The Magic returns to the court Saturday night when the Indiana Pacers come to town. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.

You can follow Jeremy Brener on Twitter @JeremyBrener.

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