Nov 24, 2014; Cleveland, OH, USA; Orlando Magic center Nikola Vucevic (9) reaches for a rebound against Cleveland Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving (2) and center Anderson Varejao (17) in the third quarter at Quicken Loans Arena.
Nov 24, 2014; Cleveland, OH, USA; Orlando Magic center Nikola Vucevic (9) reaches for a rebound against Cleveland Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving (2) and center Anderson Varejao (17) in the third quarter at Quicken Loans Arena. REUTERS

The Detroit Pistons continue to find success after waiving beleaguered forward Josh Smith and have recorded their first three-game winning streak of the season, 109-86. The Pistons banked on the strong play of Andre Drummond and reserve marksman Jodie Meeks to trump their fellow Eastern Conference cellar-dwellers.

Stan Van Gundy is looking more comfortable in the roster and the attitude of the players look rejuvenated as the team has recorded impressive wins over the Indiana Pacers and the Cleveland Cavaliers. In their second consecutive road win, the Pistons got their lift from Meeks who made a season best 9 three point shots made on just 11 attempts good for 34 points. Andre Drummond continues his march towards being one of the most promising big men in the NBA by tallying a double-double of 17 points and an eye-popping 23 blocks. He also added 2 steals and three blocks for good measure. Drummond is averaging 17 points, 15 rebounds and 3 blocks during the three-game winning onslaught.

After getting off nights from point guard Brandon Jennings (5 points, 2-9 field goals) and Greg Monroe (9 points, 3 turnovers), the team banked on the hot shooting of Meeks. The offseason signing which was much maligned due to the worth of the contract which is close to $20 million spread over three years is looking more and more like a roster fit as it gives both Monroe and Drummond more room to operate down low. Meeks made much of his damage in the second period when he made six three point baskets translating to 20 points. The Pistons led as much as 18 points during the third period and the home team was able to trim it down to 10 coming into the fourth quarter but Van Gundy's team was never threatened from there as the Magic never got close beyond the 9-point margin and were eventually outscored the rest of the way, 29-16, to gift the win to the visiting squad.

The Magic continue to grapple for form as the offseason acquisition of Channing Frye who also got a technical late in the second quarter is looking every day like a failure. Beyond soon-to-be- free agent Tobias Harris, the team is lacking a post-up player who can be relied to punish opponents down low. The two-game winning streak of the Magic was quashed by the Pistons despite the heady play of rookie of the year Victor Oladipo (16 points).