(Recap from The Sports Network)
Auburn Hills, MI – Brandon Bass took over the offensive load for a short-handed Orlando team by scoring a career-best 27 points as the Magic, minus four key players, beat the Detroit Pistons, 104-91, to win their sixth straight game.
The Magic, who have won 10 of their last 11 games, were without All-Star center Dwight Howard and three other players due to a stomach virus. Swingman Mickael Pietrus and guards Jameer Nelson and J.J. Redick were also sidelined because of the illness. Howard and Pietrus flew back to Orlando and will also miss Saturday’s road game against the Milwaukee Bucks.
Despite this and an ankle injury to forward Ryan Anderson, the Magic got a balanced offensive effort, helped by Vince Carter’s 25 points and nine assists. Quentin Richardson and Rashard Lewis each had 15 points, while Marcin Gortat, filling in for Howard, tallied 14 points, 11 rebounds and three blocks.
Bass, who played 33 minutes in a reserve role, missed on just one of his 12 shots from the field. Orlando shot 59.7 percent.
Tayshaun Prince ended with 30 points for the Pistons, who suffered their fourth loss in a row. One of those was a 90-79 defeat in Orlando on Tuesday.