Bane’s 3-Point Barrage Lifts Magic Over Pistons for 2-1 Series Edge
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ORLANDO, Fla. — Desmond Bane drilled his first six shots from long range and finished with seven triples, powering the Orlando Magic to a 113-105 victory over the top-seeded Detroit Pistons on Saturday at Kia Center. The win gives Orlando a 2-1 advantage in the best-of-seven first-round matchup, with Game 4 set for Monday in Florida.
Bane closed with 25 points and matched Dennis Scott’s franchise playoff record for made threes in a game. His final trey came on a scramble play near the Pistons’ bench, where he recovered a loose ball, stepped back behind the arc and buried a baseline shot while balanced on one leg.
“That opens up another dimension for our group,” forward Franz Wagner said after contributing 17 points.
Inside the Numbers
• Paolo Banchero nearly posted a triple-double, totaling 25 points, 12 rebounds, nine assists, three steals and two blocks.
• Wendell Carter Jr. added 14 points and 17 boards, eight on the offensive glass, and helped foul out All-Star center Jalen Duren in the fourth quarter.
• Detroit’s Cade Cunningham scored 27 points but committed nine turnovers. Duren was limited to eight points and nine rebounds while recording five blocks.
Key Runs
Orlando appeared in control at 96-79 with 8:42 remaining before Detroit stormed back with a 26-8 burst, capped by Cunningham’s layup for a brief 105-104 lead with 2:52 left. The Magic answered immediately: Wagner scored five straight points and Banchero’s high-bouncing three with 38.8 seconds to go sealed the outcome.
Background and Stakes
The Magic acquired Bane last summer from Memphis for four unprotected first-round picks, a swap, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Cole Anthony, banking on his perimeter shooting to complement Banchero and Wagner. After inconsistent play and injuries forced Orlando into the play-in, the club has now won three of four since a do-or-die win over Charlotte on Apr. 17.
Detroit, a 60-win team in the regular season, must take Monday’s game to regain home-court advantage. “We win on Monday, we take home-court advantage back,” head coach J.B. Bickerstaff said. “We’ll study this one and be ready to go.”
Source: ESPN
