Free Press columnist Carlos Monarrez answers three burning questions about the Detroit Pistons’ 112-101 loss to the Orlando Magic in the first round of the NBA playoffs Sunday, April 19, at Little Caesars Arena.
Are the Pistons frauds?
I wouldn’t go so far as calling the Pistons frauds, even though it looks awful that the No. 1 seed in the East was upset by the No. 8 seed, which never trailed and was playing on the road just 47 hours after winning a play-in tournament game. But it’s concerning – very much so, judging by angry epithets hurled by some fans who left early – that a 60-win team with a 31-9 home record this season never even led in the game.
Of course, you have to remember that Cade Cunningham was playing in just his fourth game since suffering a collapsed lung and that this Magic team is a lot better than its seeding. Orlando’s quartet of Paolo Banchero (left groin strain), Franz Wagner (right high ankle sprain), Jalen Suggs (left hip contusion/right MCL sprain), and Anthony Black (abdominal strain) missed a combined 101 games this season. So the Orlando team that blew out the Charlotte Hornets, 121-90, in the play-in game wasn’t the same one we’d seen much of the regular season. That still doesn’t excuse this shocking loss.
How did Cade Cunningham look?
About how you’d expect for a guy playing in just his fourth game since March 17. The Pistons star got his points but looked like he needed a minute to find his rhythm and breath – something he admitted last week that he might need. Cunningham was still effective on his way to 39 points and was the main reason the Pistons kept it close. But he didn’t have that familiar explosiveness and vision and finished with just four assists – almost matching his three turnovers. One example came late in the second quarter when Javonte Green stole the ball from Paolo Banchero, passed it to Cunningham, who dribbled down the court but was caught from behind by Jalen Suggs, who stole the ball right back. Cunningham needing time is understandable, but the Pistons can’t afford for him to take too long to get back in the swing of things.
How was the LCA atmosphere?
It was good in the Pistons’ third playoff series in this arena, but not as lively as it should have been, considering the Pistons never led, struggled to match Orlando’s offensive power and trailed by 10 early. The Pistons had the NBA’s second-best defense, and the biggest cheer accordingly went up for Isaiah Stewart when he made a monster block on Banchero, who was flying to the hoop for a poster dunk. Of course, when the home team trails for most of the game, fans are going to be a little quieter and take out their frustrations on referees for not calling more fouls against the Magic in a physical game. Pistons legends Ben Wallace and Rip Hamilton were courtside and drew nice ovations, but it was disappointing that no other big-time athletes from Detroit’s other teams showed up. Maybe they’re waiting for later-round games. But they probably shouldn’t wait too long.
Contact Carlos Monarrez at cmonarrez@freepress.com and follow him on X @cmonarrez.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Magic better than Pistons expected, but no excuse for Game 1 upset
Reporting by Carlos Monarrez, Detroit Free Press / Detroit Free Press
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