Orlando Magic Collapse in Second Halves, Leadership Tension Rises

0:00From the Daily News Now Network, this is NBA News Today. Subscribe to keep up with every headline, every game. The Orlando Magic have now collapsed in the second half of their last two home games. They built solid leagues in the first half against the Houston Rockets and the top-seated Detroit pistons, but it all fell apart after halftime. The Rockets went on a 21-to-nothing run led by Reed Shepard in Kevin Durant to steal a five-point victory. When the pistons shut down Paulo Banchero and held Orlando to just 30.8% shooting from the field in the second half, winning by 14. Meanwhile, the losses have exposed some deeper issues for the team. Without key players, Anthony Black and Franz Wagner, the magic struggle to maintain their early momentum as opponents ramped up the pressure. After the pistons game, Paulo Banchero pointed to the team's failure to adjust in the second halves as the main problem. Dead coach Dermall Mosley saw differently, saying Detroit simply played harder by getting

1:00after the ball, clogging the paint and forcing slower, decisions from Orlando. This public difference in views has fans worried, especially since Banchero and Mosley have clashed through the media multiple times this season. As a leader and the team star, Banchero's voice carries weight and with only 23 games left, they need to align quickly. The magic wrap up their four-game homestand Tuesday night at 7 p.m. Eastern against the Washington Wizards hoping to turn things around before the season's final stretch. The daily news now is powered by our sponsor. Is sleep podcasts are your thing? This is your pillow. Built for comfort and calm.