Tonight Orlando hosts nemesis Detroit at Amway Arena just two days after putting the smackdown on the visiting Phoenix Suns. It may have been a slow start for the Magic in the opening period but they finished big with a 122-100 win.

The home team led by as many as 14 in the first quarter. The Magic then overcame a technical on Dwight Howard and a little face-to-face time under the basket between Brandon Bass and Amar’e Stoudemire in the second period to hang on to a 58-52 halftime lead. Orlando poured it on from there. They opened the second half with a dominating third period and finished the game out by leading by as much as 28 at one point.

And they did this without the services of suspended Rashard Lewis and injured Vince Carter in what Stan Van Gundy called “a very good bounce-back” after the previous night’s horrendous showing on the road against the Pistons.

“This is the first time in these five game where I thought we played well at both ends of the floor,” said Van Gundy.

Ryan Anderson was a big part of that play too. And it’s evident he’s quickly becoming a fan-favorite in the process as he’s hitting the long ball, hustling back on defense and pulling in the big rebounds.

“It’s great to play in front of a crowd that has a ton of passion for the team,” said Anderson.

– How we got here –

The Magic (4-1) opened the season with a convincing win over the Philadelphia 76ers before going on the road and taking care of New Jersey (95-85) and Toronto (125-116). Orlando then lost its first game of the season on Tuesday in Detroit, 85-80.

Team leaders through the first four games have been Howard (73 points, 53 rebounds, 10 blocks), Jameer Nelson (22 assists, 6 steals), Jason Williams (21 assists), Matt Barnes (6 steals), Anderson (12 three pointers) and J.J. Redick (11 three pointers).

– Pick a number, any number –

Van Gundy wondered how Ryan Anderson would respond to his worst night with the Magic against Detroit. One day later Anderson hit 8 of 14 shots (3-for-3 from beyond the arc) for 20 points and 10 rebounds, 7 of which came on the offensive end.

“I think his response was pretty damn good for a 21-year old guy coming off of missing 10 three’s last night,” said Van Gundy.

Nelson dished out 10 assists and Howard led all scorers with 25 points while Barnes had 13 points and 11 rebounds in the win. Orlando entered the game just 12-27 all-time against the Suns, having won only 7 of 19 on their own home court.

– The other side of the stat sheet –

The Magic had trouble slowing down the pick and roll as Stoudemire, the former Cypress Creek star, put up 25 points and grabbed 14 rebounds. Other than that, Orlando may have played their best game defensively considering how solid a team the Suns are on offense.

One person in particular who had a tough night was Grant Hill as he was routinely booed in his return to town and went 0-for-5 shooting on the night.

– That’s what Van Gundy said –

Regarding the “problem” that could be created once Lewis returns from the suspension now that Anderson has been playing so well – “I’ve coached for a long time in a lot of different levels and I’ve complained about a lot of things,” said Van Gundy. “I never recall myself being upset or complaining that I had too many good players. They’re the one’s it’ll be tough on, not me.”

– On deck for Orlando –

Next up is a rematch with the Pistons (2-3), who have won 20 of the past 25 regular season meetings between the teams, on Friday night at Amway Arena at 7 p.m. The Magic then hit the road to take on Oklahoma City (2-2) on Sunday and Charlotte (2-2) on Tuesday, Nov. 10.

When the Magic return to town on Wednesday, Nov. 11 Amway Arena is expected to be rocking at 8 p.m. with the return of LeBron James, Shaquille O’Neal and the Cleveland Cavaliers (3-3) during a nationally televised game on ESPN.

–– More Orlando Magic Coverage ––

– Zach McCann at Orlando Magic Daily

– Tim Povtak at Fanhouse

– Andrew Melnick at Howard the Dunk

– Don VanDemark at Magical Hoops

– Team page at HoopsWorld