Vanishing act: Magic's defense disappears in fourth straight loss

When the Magic are getting stops, they're not dominating the glass like last season. The Pistons had 14 offensive rebounds last night, six of them from Jalen Duren. Orlando gave up 9.2 offensive rebounds per game last season. They're up to 12.6 this season.

Orlando is losing possessions

Fewer steals, more turnovers and fewer defensive boards mean the Magic's opponents get way more shots, and those shots are easier. One big reason is that Orlando's new guards are struggling mightily.

Desmond Bane shot 1-for-4 from deep and 4-for-15 overall on Wednesday. Brought in to help the Magic's poor outside shooting, Bane is 7-for-26 (26.9 percent) and his defense hasn't been strong. That's also true for backup point guard Tyus Jones, who is shooting 25 percent from the field and averaging only 1.8 assists.

Opposing guards are lighting the Magic up this year. Norm Powell and Davion Mitchell did it on opening night, Trey Young and Nickeil Alexander-Walker combined for 44 points and Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe had 69 combined. On Wednesday, it was Cade Cunningham delivering 30 points and 10 assists, along with three steals and three blocks.

Jalen Suggs' minutes restriction is hurting Orlando

Jalen Suggs is an All-Defensive team guard who's recovering from a knee injury from last season. That's why he's been limited to around 20 minutes per game this season. Wednesday, the Magic were 10 points better than the Pistons in Suggs' 21 minutes — and -29 in his 27 minutes on the bench.

The Magic shouldn't rush Suggs back, but they simply need better play from Bane and Jones, as well as Black. Orlando is a team that relies on Banchero and Franz Wagner, two young stars who don't shoot three-pointers. That puts a ceiling on Orlando's offense. When they can't get stops, they don't have a chance.

The Magic may be in big trouble until Suggs has fully returned. Until he does, the turnovers and poor outside shooting are making it very tough on the disappointing Magic.