The Detroit Pistons return home for Game 5 trailing the Orlando Magic 3-1, one defeat away from becoming only the seventh No. 1 seed to fall to a No. 8 seed in the opening round of the NBA playoffs.
Monday’s 94-88 loss in Orlando again spotlighted Detroit’s recurring problems: giveaways, inconsistent three-point shooting and limited production from center Jalen Duren. The Pistons committed 16 turnovers, pushing their series average to 17.3 per game.
Cunningham Shouldering Heavy Load
Cade Cunningham is posting 29.5 points a night, but his 6.8 turnovers per contest have blunted that efficiency. The guard finished Game 4 with eight turnovers against six assists.
“I was frustrated with my own play,” Cunningham said. “They killed us on the offensive glass, our defense didn’t hold up—we’ve got to fix it and come back better.”
Head coach J.B. Bickerstaff noted that Orlando’s traps have been effective because Detroit’s off-ball execution has lagged. “They’re sending a lot of bodies to him,” Bickerstaff said. “We have to give him more space—set screens, be more physical and free him up.”
Duren, Stewart React to Reduced Roles
Duren, limited to four points in Game 4, remained upbeat. “It ain’t over,” the restricted free-agent-to-be said. “Teams have come back from 3-1 plenty of times. We’ve got to protect home court and go from there.”
Backup big man Isaiah Stewart logged 17 minutes yet blocked eight shots. Asked whether he should see more time, Stewart replied, “I’m ready whenever my name is called. I know the impact I have on the game.”
Roster Construction Under Scrutiny
Detroit’s struggles have widened the spotlight on top executive Trajan Langdon’s quiet trade deadline. Without a clear secondary scorer or proven playmaker, more responsibility has fallen on Cunningham. Starting forward Duncan Robinson has helped spacing but has been routinely targeted defensively, further exposing roster gaps.
Game 5 is scheduled for Wednesday at Little Caesars Arena, where the Pistons must win three straight to avoid an early exit.
Source: Hoops Rumors
