(Sports Network) - The Orlando Magic shoot for their ninth straight home win tonight, when they entertain the Detroit Pistons at Amway Center.
Orlando is an impressive 17-5 as the host this season and hasn't lost in central Florida since a 105-99 setback versus Dallas on Dec. 21.
The Magic have won three straight overall and improved to 13-3 in their last 16 games with Saturday's 118-104 victory in Houston thanks in large part to Dwight Howard's 22 points and 14 rebounds. Hedo Turkoglu added a season-high 21 points and five assists for the Magic, who got 18 points apiece from Jason Richardson andBrandon Bass.
"We wanted to establish an up-tempo game early and play with a lead," Magic head coach Stan Van Gundysaid. "I thought we did a lot of things well."
Van Gundy's bunch used a 20-5 run in the second quarter to pull away for good and owned a 54-33 lead minutes before halftime. It also buried a season- high 13 three-pointers on 32 tries, with Richardson hitting 4-of-7. J.J. Redick went 3-for-6 from downtown to finish with 13 points off the bench.
Meanwhile, the Pistons head into this matchup with Orlando on a high note after downing the Phoenix Suns, 75-74, Saturday at The Palace of Auburn Hills.
Tayshaun Prince had 17 points, 13 rebounds and five assists, Will Bynum netted all 12 of his points in the fourth quarter and Rodney Stuckey added 11 points for Detroit, which won for the fourth time in six tries and extended its home winning streak to three contests.
"You got to ride people that are playing well. Tonight was a perfect example where Will Bynum was doing a phenomenal job," said Piston coach John Kuester.
The Pistons finished on a 24-8 spurt and snapped Phoenix's five-game winning streak. The Suns were a franchise-best 62-0 when holding teams under 80 points. Detroit guard Richard Hamilton was benched for a seventh straight game as he awaits a trade, while center Ben Wallace returned after missing six games with an ankle injury. Wallace ended with seven rebounds and no points.
Detroit reserve forward Charlie Villanueva sat out with a right ankle sprain and is questionable for Monday. The Pistons have lost two straight road games and are only 4-19 as the visitor this season.
Orlando has won the first two matchups of the 2010-11 season with the Pistons and is unbeaten in the previous five meetings between the teams. Detroit has lost three straight and four of its last five contests in Orlando.