Orlando, Fla. — Desmond Bane scored on an up-and-under layup to open the third quarter. His basket gave the Orlando Magic a 24-point lead (62-38). At the time, it appeared the Magic were on the trajectory of a blowout victory, but the Detroit Pistons refused to surrender.
As a result, for the second consecutive game, the Pistons have staved off elimination. This time, it came during the 93-79 Game 6 win on Friday night inside Kia Center. The Pistons have now forced a Game 7 with the series tied at 3-3. They will host the decisive Game 7 on Sunday at Little Caesars Arena at 3:30 p.m. (ABC).
“This was a testament to the character of this group. What this group has been for the entire season,” coach J.B. Bickerstaff said. “The consistency, the commitment to something greater than themselves.
“The willingness to do it together. The want to not disappoint each other. We just have amazing spirit and never quit. And this is a testament to what we’ve built and how these guys have responded.”
The Pistons began their 24-point comeback by picking up their defense in the third quarter. They began the period by holding Orlando to 1-of-8 shooting. On the offensive end, the Pistons capitalized on their defensive stops with a 16-4 run through the first six minutes of the second half.
The momentum Detroit established in its second-half rally was enough for the Pistons to come within two points (72-70) with eight minutes left in the fourth quarter. Tobias Harris gave the Pistons a 74-72 lead after connecting on a pair of foul shots. It became a lead the Pistons did not relinquish.
“Never say die,” Cade Cunningham said after the victory. “It’s as simple as that.”
BOX SCORE: Pistons 93, Magic 79
The Pistons would go on to outscore Orlando 31-8 in the period. Their defense held the Magic to 4-of-37 shooting in the second half, 1-of-20 shooting in the fourth quarter. As a result, Orlando went on to miss 23 straight shots, the most by any team this century.
Cunningham led the Pistons with 32 points, 10 rebounds and four steals. He scored 24 points in the second half alone. Harris added 22 points and nine rebounds. Paul Reed made the most significant impact by playing 10 minutes off the bench, finishing with six points, six rebounds and two blocks.
Bane led Orlando with 17 points. Paolo Banchero also added 17 points to go along with nine rebounds.
“It was the pressure. We changed the amount of pressure that we were putting at the point of attack,” Bickerstaff said. “We changed how active we were on the ball, how physical we were on the ball. And again, that’s when we’re at our best. So, we’ve got to make sure we continue to do that.”
coty.davis@detroitnews.com
@cotydavis_24
This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Pistons rally from 24-point deficit to force Game 7: ‘Never say die’
Reporting by Coty M. Davis, The Detroit News / The Detroit News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
