Detroit roars back with huge 22-9 run, now lead by a point as first quarter ends
The Pistons win the challenge and gain possession, as Cunningham is fouled on a drive and goes 2-for-2 at the line. Tristan da Silva gets fouled and splits the free throws, then Cunningham hits another 3-pointer and on the next possession, Duren dunks it home to make it a one-point game. It’s a 14-3 run for Detroit as a timeout is called with 2:22 left. After that quick timeout, Javonte Green dunks it down as the Pistons take their first lead tonight. Caris LeVert swats it away from Bane, then LeVert’s layup is blocked for a goaltend. Stewart gets two blocks in under a minute.
After another timeout by Orlando, a sloppy sequence leads to an and-one layup by Goga Bitadze, as he misses the free throw and somehow, the Pistons exit the first quarter with a lead.
Pistons continue turnover troubles, down 21-14 in first quarter
Out of the timeout and Cade Cunningham is stripped from behind by Wagner, the fourth turnover already for the Pistons. It leads to a foul on Duncan Robinson as Bane hits one of two free throws. Banchero hits two free throws, then the sixth Pistons turnover leads to a Wagner layup and it’s a 17-7 lead for Orlando already. Bane hits a midrange shot, as Cunningham finally ends the run with a 3-pointer but he picks up his second foul while hacking Banchero. He makes both free throws, then Duren hits a midrange jumper for his first points tonight. Harris goes on the fastbreak for a dunk, then Ausar Thompson is called for a foul as J.B. Bickerstaff calls timeout to force a challenge.
Magic start hot again, Pistons down, 12-5, early in first quarter of Game 4
Pistons win the tipoff, but a turnover from Tobias Harris leads to a 3-pointer from Wendell Carter Jr. to start the game. A Desmond Bane three and Franz Wagner layup makes it an 8-0 run for the Magic, but Harris hits the layup plus the foul to put Detroit on the board. He hits the free throw, but Orlando’s up to another hot start with a Paolo Banchero forcing a quick timeout from the Pistons with 9:15 left in this opening quarter.
Starting Lineups
Starters for both teams stay as they have throughout this series.
Preview
The Detroit Pistons find themselves in a must-win situation in Game 4 of this first round series, staying at the Kia Center to face a confident Orlando Magic team and hoping to avoid a disastrous 3-1 series hole.
After a fourth-quarter comeback fell short in their Game 3 loss, the Pistons are trying to stay cool and take it one game at a time. However, the efforts of Paolo Banchero, Desmond Bane, and Franz Wagner have the Magic two wins away from their first playoff series victory since 2010, putting pressure on the top seed in the East.
Cade Cunningham has done his job, averaging 31 points a game, but Orlando’s defense has forced him to commit an alarming 6.3 turnovers per game so far. Detroit needs to find a way to get Jalen Duren going, as the runner-up for this season’s Most Improved Player award has struggled this series with averages of 9.0 points and 8.3 rebounds.
Follow along here for live updates from Detroit News contributor Kameron Goodwill.
NBA Playoffs, first round: No. 8 Magic vs. No. 1 Pistons
Magic lead series, 2-1
Game 1: Magic 112, Pistons 101
Game 2: Pistons 97, Magic 83
Game 3: Magic 113, Pistons 105
Game 4: at Orlando, Monday, 8 p.m. (NBC/Peacock)
Game 5: at Detroit, Wednesday, 7 p.m. (Amazon Prime)
x-Game 6: at Orlando, Friday, TBD (TBD)
x-Game 7: at Detroit, Sunday, May 3 TBD (TBD)
x-If necessary
This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Despite sloppy start, Pistons hold slim lead in Game 4: live updates
Reporting by Kameron Goodwill, The Detroit News / The Detroit News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
