Who: Orlando Magic (23-23) at Detroit Pistons (23-20)
When: Tonight, 8 p.m.
Where: The Palace at Auburn Hills (Mich.).
TV, radio: UPN-65; WMEL-AM 920, WDBO-AM 580.
Starters: Orlando: G Darrell Armstrong, Tracy McGrady; F Mike Miller, Pat Garrity; C Don Reid. Detroit: G Chucky Atkins, Jerry Stackhouse; F Ben Wallace, Michael Curry; C Clifford Robinson.
Magic notes: Lately, Orlando has been as inconsistent as ever. The Magic have lost their past two games -- a streak that comes after winning three in a row. Orlando actually has lost five of its past nine games, dropping back to .500 again. . . . Orlando led the World Champion Los Angeles Lakers for most of three quarters Wednesday night, but faded badly down the stretch. Orlando missed its first eight shots and 11 of 12 to start the fourth quarter and lost 111-93 after getting outscored 36-16 in the final period. . . . Mike Miller, a consistent offensive threat just two weeks ago, has cooled off dramatically of late. He's scored just 38 points in the past four games. In those games, he's made just 13 of 45 shots (28.8 percent). Also, he's connected on just five of 20 3-pointers (25 percent). . . . Magic center Horace Grant missed Wednesday's game with an intestinal virus and did not fly with the team to Detroit Thursday. He could possibly join the team today and play tonight. Without Grant and Patrick Ewing (Achilles' tendinitis), the Magic had to start 6-foot-8 Don Reid against 7-foot-1, 315-pound Shaquille O'Neal. . . . Pat Garrity set new career highs in 3-pointers (six) and 3-pointers attempted (13) against the Lakers. He and Tracy McGrady led the Magic with 22 points each.
Pistons notes: Detroit has been wildly erratic this season. The Pistons were the surprise of the NBA early, racing to a 14-6 start. But they immediately lost their next seven games and 13 of 16 at one point. But Detroit enters this game on another hot streak. It has won six of seven and four in a row. . . . Detroit topped the Wizards in Washington on Tuesday and then returned home and routed the hapless Atlanta Hawks Wednesday night. Jerry Stackhouse, who was snubbed by the all-star team despite having one of his most complete seasons, scored 32 points in Wednesday's win. . . . Power forward Ben Wallace continues to be a terror inside for the Pistons. He grabbed 19 rebounds and blocked three shots against the Hawks. The former Magic standout leads the NBA in blocked shots (3.26) and is tied for fourth in rebounding (11.7). . . . Detroit has split the two meetings with Orlando so far this season. Forwards Cliff Robinson and Corliss Williamson have given the Magic fits, averaging 19 and 13.5 points respectively in the two games. Stackhouse missed the first game against the Magic because of a groin injury and struggled mightily in the second game, an 87-78 Orlando victory. He missed 12 of his 15 shots, including all four of his 3-point tries.
Next for the Magic: Sunday, vs. San Antonio Spurs, 12 p.m. (UPN-65)