Magic 115, Pistons 91: Once again, there’s a lot to like in the Magic’s preseason win

They’ll say that preseason scores/stats/games don’t mean anything. And they’d be right. But there sure has been a lot to like about what the Magic have done in their first two games. So...

Aaron Gordon was aggressive early on while still playing within the rhythm of the offense, scoring eight points during a 10-0 Magic run to open an 18-11 lead in the first quarter. That run would extend to 19-2 to increase the Magic lead to 27-13 as Gordon finished the quarter with 13 points and four rebounds. The Magic offense, featuring plenty of off-the-ball movement, shot 52 percent from the field in the first.

Gordon would score 19 of his 25 points in the first half, sending the Magic into the break with a 57-48 lead.

For the second straight game, Markelle Fultz checked into the game in the first quarter to play alongside a fellow point guard -- last game being D.J. Augustin for a brief time and on Monday with Michael Carter-Williams.

In the follow-up to his highly-anticipated debut, Fultz displayed his ability to attack and create, dishing out seven assists in 21 minutes. Fultz struggled with his open looks from the outside but showed no hesitation early on, attempting his first jumper just 40 seconds after checking in (a pull-up from just beyond the free throw line that hit back rim). But he was able to use his quickness to get into the paint at will, scoring eight points on 4-for-10 shooting (0-for-1 from three), while putting together quite the highlight reel...

After playing 19 players against the Spurs, Steve Clifford said fewer would play on Monday. The rotation was trimmed to 15, with all five starters logging over 20 minutes. That was led by Jonathan Isaac, who was on the court for a team-high 29 minutes and had a strong all-around game with 16 points, seven rebounds, five assists, two steals and a block. Isaac had some pretty defensive stops late in the second quarter, swatting away Blake Griffin’s running hook-shot in the paint, and a few possessions later, drawing a charge on Griffin’s baseline drive.

Gordon finished with a game-high 25 points on 10-for-17 shooting (3-of 7 from three). Mo Bamba also showed off his range for the second straight game (though he did get pushed around a bit by Andre Drummond on the defensive end), as he connected on 3 of 5 three-point attempts and finished with 13 points in 16 minutes.

Nikola Vucevic, who fouled out with just under four minutes remaining in the third quarter, finished with 10 points and 10 rebounds in 21 minutes.

The Magic, who were without Wes Iwundu (general soreness), also lost Terrence Ross in the first half after suffering a sore chest following a hit to rib/sternum area. Ross had nine points in eight minutes.

The Magic next play on Wednesday at Atlanta before returning home for the final three games of the preseason.