Orlando Magic Have Historically Terrible Second Half in Game 6 vs. Detroit Pistons

To call the Orlando Magic vs. Detroit Pistons first-round series beautiful basketball would be a significant stretch. These teams are not playing well offensively, and both teams are struggling to find ways to shoot the basketball consistently. However, there are levels to how inept an offense looks, and Game 6 was seemingly rock bottom. Let’s take a closer look at how bad it got inside the Kia Center for the Orlando Magic.

The Orlando Magic have a historic collapse in Game 6

Things were looking incredible for the Orlando Magic in Game 6, pulling out to a 60-38 lead at halftime. However, things got worse for the home team in the second half. They would not be able to find much of any offense going forward, scoring just 19 points after halftime (4 for 37 in the second half). To put it in perspective, the Magic went 45 minutes of actual time without a made basket, which included 23 consecutive missed field goals. That is the most since the play-by-play era started (1997-98 season).

The Orlando Magic went 1 for 20 as a team in the fourth quarter and their eight points scored in the quarter were one point shy of tying the record for the fewest points in a playoff quarter. Their 19 points in the second half were the fewest in a playoff half in the shot clock era, breaking the record set by the Houston Rockets in Game 6 of the 2018 Western Conference Finals.

There is something to say about the Detroit Pistons’ defense, as they did step up in the second half. However, the Orlando Magic’s offense going ice-cold is more to blame than anything. Even with Franz Wagner not being able to play, this is unacceptable. Now, they are set for Game 7 on Sunday in Detroit. After being at the point where the team was ready to move on from coach Jamahl Mosley, it seems like this could be the breaking point no matter if they are able to win Game 7 against the top seed in the Eastern Conference.