Pistons keep up scoring, hold 20-point lead over Magic with minutes remaining in Game 2
Detroit brings out their starters to begin the fourth quarter, but this time the Magic come out scoring as Bane hits two free throws and Wagner hits a shot, leading to a timeout being called with 10:35 left in this game. Out of the timeout, Cunningham hits a fadeaway jumper, then Thompson gets a clear lane off the turnover for a big dunk. Both teams trade shots, then a called foul on Stewart is overturned into a clean block on Banchero.
And if this game didn’t need any more highlights, Cunningham cooks Banchero with a crossover before laying it in over the Magic defense. Cunningham gets a nice ovation as he checks out, then Banchero finally gets a dunk on Stewart with the foul. Third time’s the charm as Banchero hits the free throw, but Harris answers back with a floater to keep the lead at 20 points. A timeout is called with 4:46 left and this game is all but over.
Pistons outpace Magic in explosive 38-16 third-quarter scoring run, up big on Orlando entering fourth quarter
When it rains, it pours, and the Pistons are pouring it on the Magic right now. They’ve come out of the timeout by forcing a shot-clock violation, then Robinson hits a transition 3-pointer, leading to a Thompson steal and dunk just seconds later. Orlando continues to struggle, leading to Wendell Carter Jr. committing a flagrant foul 1 on Duren.
Even though Duren splits his free throws, the Pistons get the ball back and Duren lays it in off the lob plus the foul, this time hitting the free throw as Detroit takes a 24-point lead. Isaiah Stewart does it again, meeting Jalen Suggs at the rim for another block at an attempted dunk in this series. Goga Bitadze hits a free throw to end the Magic’s scoring slump.
Speaking of Stewart, he gets open for a three and hits it to a big roar from the crowd. Tristan da Silva answers with a three of his own, keeping the Pistons lead at 24 points. But after another stop in the paint, Cunningham finds Stewart with a no-look pass for the layup, plus the foul! Stewart converts the 3-point play, as the Pistons enter the fourth quarter with a huge 22-point lead.
Pistons continue hot start, outscore Magic 18-3 in first four minutes to take 64-49 lead
Cunningham hits the free throw as the Pistons are now up by nine, then Thompson’s perfect double-team on Wagner leads to a steal, as Harris hits a floater to give Detroit their biggest lead tonight of 11 points. Bane quiets the crowd with a big 3-pointer. Harris hits another midrange shot, then Robinson hits a big 3-pointer as Little Caesars Arena roars and now Detroit takes a big 15-point lead, leading to another Orlando timeout.
Cunningham leads Pistons on 8-0 run to begin third quarter, Detroit’s up 54-46 over Orlando
Harris gets the second half going with a midrange jumper, then Thompson draws the offensive foul on Desmond Bane. Cunningham hits a jumper of his own, then finds Duren inside as the center slams it home. Cunningham steals it, takes it all the way and banks it off the window plus the foul as the Pistons open up with a 8-0 scoring run and the Magic call for timeout with 10:01 left in the third quarter.
Halftime: Pistons 46, Magic 46
If the first six quarters of this series proves anything, it’s that the Pistons are in for a challenge as they are tied with the Magic in Game 2 of this Eastern Conference First Round.
Cade Cunningham has continued his dominance, leading the Pistons with 15 points. However, it’s been a balanced effort as nine of Detroit’s 11 players that have seen minutes have scored. Tobias Harris is Detroit’s second-leading scorer with six points.
The Pistons’ biggest lead was at eight points, but thanks to 12 turnovers, the Magic have kept themselves in this game despite shooting 33% from the field. Detroit’s also having trouble getting to the line and making free throws, going 3-for-8 from the charity stripe compared to Orlando’s 14-for-21 free throw advantage.
Cunningham’s 15 leads all scorers, but Pistons’ turnovers keeps Magic close, game tied 46-46 entering halftime
Seems like this game is gonna stay tight for now, with the Magic and Pistons going shot-for-shot to end this first half. Duren, Harris, and Cunningham each hit some layups in the paint but the Magic keep getting to the free throw line, with Bane splitting his free throws to make it a one-point lead for Detroit.
More free throws happen as Duren makes 1-of-2 at the line, then Franz Wagner hits both to tie the game up at 46-46 with under 27 seconds left. Another Pistons turnover leads to a missed long-range shot from Wagner to end the first half.
Magic, Pistons struggle to hit shots as game is tied up at 37 apiece near end of second quarter
It’s been a low-scoring quarter so far as the defense is still up for both teams. Isaiah Stewart puts back another miss, but the Magic again answer back as Jalen Suggs hits a deep 3-pointer to tie the game. Cunningham draws the foul but splits his free throws, leading to Banchero going through Robinson for an and-one layup for the lead, but Banchero misses the free throw.
Cunningham draws another shooting foul on a drive, but he again goes 1-for-2 from the line. Stewart draws a foul on Suggs for the Magic guard’s second personal before Duren checks in, and a timeout is called with 2:53 left in the second quarter.
Pistons bench keeps rolling on both sides, Detroit leads, 33-30, over Magic midway through second quarter
Pistons continue their hot start in the second quarter with a quick 6-2 run over Orlando, but the Magic answer back as a Jamal Cain alley-oop dunk brings them within four points. Duren hits a hook shot, but Suggs answers back with a 3-pointer, then a Banchero turnover leads to a timeout with 6:46 left in this first half.
Despite turnovers, huge defensive plays help Pistons build 25-21 lead over Magic as first quarter ends
The Magic take their first lead of the night as Anthony Black lays it in, but Isaiah Stewart puts back a missed layup for the second lead change of the series. Kevin Huerter shows the moves on a step-back 3-pointer, then Daniss Jenkins draws a foul with one second remaining, but misses both free throws as the first quarter ends.
Cunningham shows aggression, Pistons hold on to slim lead near end of first quarter
More defense turns to offense, as a Jalen Suggs missed 3-pointer turns into Cunningham beating the Magic defense up the court for a left-handed dunk. Cunningham gets inside again for another dunk, but the Magic are keeping up with Detroit as the Pistons have turned it over five times already, despite already having six team blocks as well. Pistons now only lead, 20-19, as a timeout is called.
Pistons turn defense to offense, take 14-7 lead over Magic early in first quarter
Orlando wins the opening tip-off as Franz Wagner draws an early foul on Jalen Duren, then Tobias Harris gets the Pistons on the board first with a putback off a Duncan Robinson airball. It’s their first lead of the series, then Cade Cunningham hits a 3-pointer, but gets called on a shooting foul on Wendell Carter Jr. Carter splits his free throws, then Paolo Banchero misses both of his free throws.
There’s a great sequence, as Cunningham drops his defender with a cross and passes it to Duren, who lobs it to Ausar Thompson for a slam. The Pistons are playing great defense early, getting fastbreaks as a Harris slam forces Orlando to call timeout with 6:42 left in this first quarter.
During the timeout, we see the 2026 National Champion Michigan Wolverines are in Little Caesars Arena with their head coach Dusty May and the championship they won earlier this month.
The Pistons will try to avoid an 0-2 series hole as they face the Magic in Game 2 of their Eastern Conference first-round matchup.
After playing from behind throughout the duration of their Game 1 loss to Orlando on Sunday, the Pistons look to show why they’re the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference. Cade Cunningham’s 39 points were enough to keep the Pistons alive during the opening game, but Detroit will need more from players such as Jalen Duren, who struggled to find his rhythm against Orlando’s defense.
The No. 8-seeded Magic were the only lower-seeded team to win Game 1 in this year’s playoffs, matching the Pistons’ physicality with their own. Stopping Orlando’s Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner will be one of the adjustments Detroit looks to address after film sessions prior to Game 2.
Starting Lineups
Both teams make no changes to their Game 1 starting lineups for Game 2.
Follow along here for live updates from Detroit News contributor Kameron Goodwill.
NBA Playoffs, first round: No. 8 Magic vs. No. 1 Pistons
Orlando leads series, 1-0
Game 1: Magic 112, Pistons 101
Game 2: at Detroit, Wednesday, 7 p.m. (ESPN)
Game 3: at Orlando, Saturday, 1 p.m. (Peacock)
Game 4: at Orlando, Monday, April 27, TBD (TBD)
x-Game 5: at Detroit, Wednesday, April 29, TBD (TBD)
x-Game 6: at Orlando, Friday, May 1, TBD (TBD)
x-Game 7: at Detroit, Sunday, May 3 TBD (TBD)
This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Live updates: Pistons continue to hold lead over Magic near end of Game 2
Reporting by Kameron Goodwill, Special to The Detroit News / The Detroit News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
