ORLANDO, Fla. — The eighth-seeded Magic moved to the verge of eliminating the Eastern Conference’s No. 1 seed, defeating the Detroit Pistons 94-88 on Sunday night to claim a 3-1 advantage in their first-round playoff series.
Orlando managed the win despite shooting just 32.6 percent from the field. Guard Desmond Bane provided 22 points and buried five of his 10 three-point attempts, including a banked triple in the final minute that sealed the outcome.
Forward Franz Wagner scored 19 points before leaving in the third quarter with right calf soreness, and Paolo Banchero added 18 on a 4-for-18 night. The Magic compensated for their cold shooting by protecting the ball, committing 12 turnovers to Detroit’s 20.
Cade Cunningham paced the Pistons with 25 points, while Tobias Harris contributed 20. Detroit, a 60-win club during the regular season, now faces elimination when the series returns to Little Caesars Arena for Game 5.
The contest swung back and forth in the fourth quarter. Jalen Suggs, who finished 1-for-13, buried a corner three to break a tie, and reserve Jamal Cain electrified the crowd with a dunk over Jalen Duren. Bane’s late banked three provided the final cushion.
A series victory would put Orlando in the second round for the first time since 2010 and mark only the eighth time in NBA history that a No. 8 seed ousts a No. 1. The last occurrence was Miami’s win over Milwaukee in 2023.
Game 5 is scheduled for Wednesday in Detroit.
Source: Hoops Wire
