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Orlando Magic notes, Nov. 9, 2015

Below are team notes on the 3-4 Orlando Magic

Orlando kicks off a four-game week tonight when they take on the Indiana Pacers at 7 p.m. at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. On November 11, the Magic will host the Los Angeles Lakers, and on Friday, November 13, the Magic will take on the Utah Jazz at home before ending the week at the Washington Wizards Saturday (7 p.m.). All games are broadcast exclusive locally on FOX Sports Florida.

Evan Fournier is coming off a career week with the Orlando Magic. On Nov. 3, Fournier scored a career-high 30 points and hit a pair of 3-pointers in the final 1:13 of the game to lift Orlando to its first victory of the season over the New Orleans Pelicans. On Nov. 4, he had another 20+ scoring performance, adding 29 points, including two free throws with 1.1 seconds left in regulation to send the Magic to overtime against the Houston Rockets. Fournier finished the week as the leading scorer for the Magic, averaging 21.8 ppg. over the four-game stretch.

From the floor, the Magic are holding opponents to .410 (256-of-625 FG), which ranks fourth in the NBA (as of Nov. 8). In addition, Orlando is holding the opposition to shoot .292 (61-of-209) from beyond the three-point arc, which ranks sixth in the league (as of Nov.8).

The Orlando Magic are averaging 6.71 blkg. (47 blocked shots) this season, which ranks second in the NBA (as of Nov.8).

Orlando went 3-1 last week, including wins over the New Orleans Pelicans, Toronto Raptors and Philadelphia 76ers. The Magic notched their first win of the season (103-94) on Nov. 3 on the road against the Pelicans, and then took the Houston Rockets to overtime before falling, 114-119. Following a home win on Nov. 6 against the previously unbeaten Toronto Raptors (92-87), the Magic defeated Philadelphia, 105-97, at Wells Fargo Center.

Perhaps Kobe Bryant may sit some back-to-back games

Here’s ESPN.com with the latest on Lakers guard Kobe Bryant, who may be playing his final season in the league:

Perhaps Kobe Bryant may sit some back-to-back games

Los Angeles Lakers coach Byron Scott and Kobe Bryant recently sat down to discuss how they will approach back-to-back games this season — if Bryant will play in some, rest in others, etc. But Bryant, in his 20th season, made it known he doesn’t want to miss any games.

“Coach, this might be my last year, so, if possible, I would like to try to play every game,” the 37-year-old Bryant said, according to Scott.

Initially, Scott said he was on board with the plan. But now, entering the Lakers’ first of 17 back-to-back sets this season — the Lakers play in Miami on Tuesday and then in Orlando on Wednesday — Scott appears to be having some second thoughts.

Pistons visit Warriors tonight

Here’s the Detroit News reporting on the 5-1 Pistons, who visit the 7-0 Golden State Warriors tonight:

After the Pistons had their best quarter, a 41-11 advantage in taking a comeback win over the Portland Trail Blazers on Sunday night, their thoughts quickly turned to the next challenge.

In a difficult back-to-back situation, the Pistons get a shot at the defending-champion Golden State Warriors at Oracle Arena on Monday night. Following their 120-103 victory over the Blazers for a 5-1 start — their best since 2007-08, they’ll have a true measuring-stick game to gauge where they stand with their hot start.

Golden State is the NBA’s lone unbeaten team left at 7-0, coming off a 103-94 victory over Sacramento on Saturday night.

Andre Drummond, Reggie Jackson go wild, Pistons now 5-1

Here’s Michigan Live reporting on a big Pistons comeback win that featured monster performances from point guard Reggie Jackson and center Andre Drummond:

Andre Drummond, Reggie Jackson go wild, Pistons now 5-1

What will be remembered back home as a Detroit Pistons comeback not soon to be forgotten is simply a meltdown here.

The Portland Trail Blazers had no answers in a fourth quarter when they were outscored 41-11 and lost 120-103 to the Pistons, so it is to be expected they had few answers afterward.

“Well, it was a shame we threw away three good quarters of basketball but Detroit obviously outplayed us in the fourth quarter,” Portland coach Terry Stotts said. “Their defense picked up and we had a lot of turnovers that either they caused, or were self-inflicted.

“Hand it to them, being down … they kept playing and obviously we didn’t handle it very well. We’ve got to learn from it and move on.”

Andre Drummond had 29 points and 27 rebounds, and Reggie Jackson scored 26 of his 40 points in the fourth quarter for Detroit.

Celtics assign Jordan Mickey and James Young to D-League

The Boston Celtics announced today that they have assigned forward Jordan Mickey and guard/forward James Young to the Maine Red Claws of the NBA Development League.

Mickey, a 6’8” forward, played in seven preseason contests with the Celtics this year and averaged 5.7 points, 3.0 rebounds and 1.1 blocks in 9.8 minutes per game. He was selected with the 33rd overall pick by the Celtics in the 2015 NBA Draft and in two regular season appearances with the team has recorded a total of five points, three rebounds, one assist and one block in five minutes of action.

Young, who is in his second NBA season, appeared in seven preseason matchups for the Celtics this year and averaged 4.4 points and 1.4 rebounds in 13.7 minutes per game over that span. He played in 17 contests for the Red Claws last season and averaged 21.5 points, including shooting 44.2 percent from beyond the arc, 4.8 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.5 steals in 32.9 minutes per game.

Spurs assign Jonathon Simmons to D-League

The San Antonio Spurs today announced that they have assigned forward Jonathon Simmons to the Austin Spurs of the NBA Development League.

Simmons, 6-6/195, was signed by San Antonio on July 22, 2015, after spending the past two seasons with the Austin Spurs. The Texas native made the team after attending an open tryout in Austin in 2013. Last season Simmons was named to the NBA D-League All-Defensive Third Team while appearing in all 50 games, averaging 15.2 points, 4.3 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1.00 steals in 33.8 minutes. Simmons shot .494 (277-561) from the field, .398 (51-128) from three-point range and .750 (153-204) from the charity stripe.

During his two years with Austin, Simmons appeared in a total of 94 games, averaging 12.7 points, 4.4 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.00 blocks in 28.8 minutes while shooting .506 (446-882) from the field, .352 (76-216) from beyond the arc and .736 (22-303) from the foul line.

Simmons has not appeared in a game with San Antonio this season.

LaMarcus Aldridge vs. Blazers coming soon

Here’s the San Antonio Express-News blog reporting on Spurs forward LaMarcus Aldridge, who through five games this season is averaging 14.8 points and 10.0 rebounds per outing on his new squad:

LaMarcus Aldridge vs. Blazers coming soon

The Spurs have to face Charlotte tonight at the AT&T Center and Sacramento on the road Monday, but Wednesday’s must-see game in Portland – LaMarcus Aldridge’s homecoming – is already on their minds.

Aldridge played nine seasons for the Trail Blazers before signing in free agency this summer with the Spurs, an acquisition that has the potential to add more hardware to the team’s already crowded trophy case. Although many fans in Portland likely understand the Texas-ex’s desire to win a championship and appreciate his All-Star efforts for the Blazers, there will be many more who will shower him with boos for the move.

With that in mind, the Spurs are bracing for what Danny Green said will be a “more hostile” environment than usual.