Brayden Byrd’s first Detroit Pistons game was a doozie.
Sunday night, the 11-year-old from Clarkston witnessed the Pistons finally break through to the second round of the NBA playoffs, the first time the team had advanced out of the first round since 2008.
“I think he’s hooked,” said Brayden’s dad, Aaron Bryd.
As the seconds counted down with the Pistons comfortably in the lead against the Orlando Magic, fans across Little Caesars Arena had their phones out to document the historic moment for their team. They lingered in their seats and in the hallways, savoring the moment.
“We’re going to come back next round,” Byrd said.
Not only did the Pistons win the series, they came back after being down three games to one, winning three in a row to eliminate the Magic.
Brayden, who plays basketball, said Cade Cunningham and Tobias Harris were keys to victory for the Pistons. The victories haven’t come easily, “especially being a 1-seed,” Brayden said.
A strong second half had the Pistons ending the series with strong momentum.
“They just kind of found their groove,” Bryd said.
The team was up by 11 at halftime, a lead that wasn’t necessarily comfortable but held promise.
“I had faith,” said LaVance Drayton of Detroit.
Drayton has been a fan for years, he said, but having just retired, he signed up to be a Pistons season ticket holder next year.
The Pistons playing well, along with the Detroit’s other professional sports teams, “means a lot” to Detroit, he said.
“Everybody’s just enjoying themselves,” Drayton said. “It’s like a big ol’ party.”
Drayton came with his son, LaVell Drayton. The two sat in their seats for a while longer after the game ended, soaking in the celebration. LaVell noted the years of failing to advance for the Pistons have been hard to stomach.
“Every year we get a dominating team, we think we’ll be able to win,” he said. “Every year it’s like, the last minute …” they lose.
That wasn’t the case Sunday.
Pat and Claire Macatula of Troy also brought their son to his first Pistons game, but he’s not likely to remember it at just 18 months old.
Still, they wanted to come for one reason: “It’s Game 7,” Pat said.
Hannah Villapando of Warren said it was great to be part of the crowd.
“I loved it,” she said. “It was so hype.”
jpignolet@detroitnews.com
This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Detroit Pistons fans say Game 7 win ‘a big ol’ party’
Reporting by Jennifer Pignolet, The Detroit News / The Detroit News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
