The eighth-seeded Orlando Magic squandered a 24-point third-quarter cushion and fell 114-100 to the top-seeded Detroit Pistons in Friday’s Game 6, forcing a winner-take-all Game 7 on Sunday at 3:30 p.m. ET in Detroit.
Orlando led 60-38 at the break but mustered only 19 points over the final two quarters, the fewest by any team in an NBA postseason half. The Magic missed 23 consecutive shots during that stretch and hit just 4-of-37 overall after halftime.
“I think they were just playing more desperate than us, playing harder than us,” guard Desmond Bane said. “It’s going to be hard to win games when you score 19 points in a half.”
Historically poor shooting
According to The Athletic, the Magic’s 10.8% field-goal mark in the second half was the worst by any club—regular season or playoffs—since tracking began in 1997-98. They shot 3-for-17 in the third quarter and 1-for-20 in the fourth; the 5.0% clip in the final period is the lowest for a playoff quarter in the play-by-play era.
Coach: ‘It’s got to sting’
Head coach Jamahl Mosley acknowledged the magnitude of the collapse. “You have a 24-point lead, and we let it go. The reality is it’s got to sting, and it’s got to hurt right now. But you’ve given yourself an opportunity to go get it done in Game 7,” he said.
Wagner ruled out
Forward Franz Wagner will miss Game 7 with the right calf strain he suffered in Game 5, the team confirmed. The 24-year-old German standout had already been sidelined for Friday’s loss.
Confidence remains
Despite the stunning defeat, the Magic believe they can reach the franchise’s first second round since 2010. “We all believe already what we’re about to go do,” guard Anthony Black said. Star forward Paolo Banchero added, “It’s one game. That’s all that matters. We’ve got to do whatever it takes.”
Source: Hoops Rumors
