Pistons' guard trio helps them hand Magic first loss

Associated Press

Last update: November 4, 2009 - 7:45 AM

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. - Ben Gordon scored 23 points and Rodney Stuckey added 20 as the short-handed Detroit Pistons beat Orlando 85-80 on Tuesday night, handing the Magic their first loss of the season.

Detroit's Tayshaun Prince saw his streak of 496 straight games played end as he was sidelined with a back injury. Prince last missed a game on April 13, 2003 — during his rookie season — against Memphis.

Prince will be sidelined for at least three games before his status is re-evaluated this weekend. Richard Hamilton (ankle) also sat out.

The Pistons also got 20 from third guard Will Bynum, while Vince Carter led Orlando with 15. Dwight Howard had just eight points and five rebounds in 17 minutes before fouling out.

Orlando led 41-38 at the half, despite Howard being limited to nine minutes because of foul trouble, and lost him again less than 90 seconds into the third quarter with a shoulder injury.

Howard returned midway through the period and the game was tied at 60 heading into the fourth quarter.

The game was still tied at 77 when Howard fouled out with 3:45 left, but the Magic didn't score again until J.J. Redick's meaningless 3-pointer at the buzzer.

NOTES: Mickael Pietrus missed his second straight game with flu-like symptoms. ... Howard made Orlando's first free throw with 5:01 left in the third quarter. ... Detroit's Jonas Jerebko became the first Swedish-born player to start an NBA game. Miles Simon, born in Stockholm, came off the bench in all five games of his brief career. ... The Pistons won despite only getting two assists in the first half and one in the fourth quarter.