The Orlando Magic let a commanding 3-1 lead slip away and were eliminated by the Detroit Pistons in Game 7, prolonging a franchise streak that has not included a playoff series victory since 2008.
Detroit’s series-clinching win erased Orlando’s best chance in more than a decade and a half to move beyond the opening round. The collapse was compounded by the absence of forward Franz Wagner, who missed the final three contests with an injury, removing the team’s primary secondary playmaker.
Throughout the season the Magic relied on a point-guard-by-committee approach, a strategy that was exposed during the postseason. Rebounding difficulties also surfaced; guard Desmond Bane noted Orlando was beaten on the boards in each of its four defeats, according to the Orlando Sentinel.
Top scorer Paolo Banchero acknowledged the disappointment, telling reporters, “Losing in the first round is not acceptable… It should be everybody on their Ps and Qs feeling pressure to be great,” via HoopsHype.
With their season over, the Magic face an offseason focused on adding floor organization and interior toughness after a series in which both shortcomings proved decisive.
Source: Hoops Wire
