Orlando hangs on to defeat Detroit 113-109

Posted April 12, 2017 7:00 am

By TERRANCE HARRIS

Detroit Pistons' Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, right, goes up for a shot past Orlando Magic's Nikola Vucevic (9) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, April 12, 2017, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux) The Associated Press

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) - Aaron Gordon had 32 points and 12 rebounds, Elfrid Payton scored 21 points and the Orlando Magic overcame a late-run by Detroit to win their season-finale 113-109 Wednesday night.

The Magic, who led by as many as 21 points in the first quarter, allowed the Pistons to surge ahead in the fourth quarter in a game matching two non-playoff teams. But Orlando made enough plays behind Payton and Gordon to avoid yet another disheartening loss as the season closed.

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Ish Smith both scored 20 points each to lead Detroit.

In game in which both teams played many of their reserves major minutes, the Pistons outscored Orlando in the second, third and fourth quarters but their 21-point first-quarter deficit proved difficult to overcome.

Detroit Pistons' Jon Leuer, left, looks for a way to the basket around Orlando Magic's D.J. Augustin during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, April 12, 2017, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux) The Associated Press

Detroit Pistons' Ish Smith (14) passes the ball as he is guarded by Orlando Magic's Aaron Gordon, left, during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, April 12, 2017, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux) The Associated Press

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