Detroit — Enough was enough was enough. The Pistons were stuck in the muck with the Magic, the ball was bouncing crazily, the shots were clanking and the crowd was restless.
And then the second half began, and the Pistons stomped onto the floor to dramatically announce their belated arrival. From an unsettling lull to a rousing statement, the Pistons turned on the defense and turned this series back on course.
In a withering blur of arms and legs, dunks and thumps, the Pistons said it loudly and repeatedly: Enough was enough. As if they were furious the game was tied, they went on a frenzy, opening the second half on an incredible 30-3 rampage and rolled to a 98-83 victory Wednesday night to knot the first-round series 1-1.
This was the necessary reminder, to see how quickly the Pistons can turn from ragged to rugged. The Magic hadn’t played like an eight seed and the Pistons hadn’t played like the top seed, and when it was 46-46 at halftime, not much had changed. The Pistons were still seeking aid for Cade, after their star scored 39 in a Game 1 loss.
And then here it came, sparked by punishing defense and pushed by the loudest roars we’ve ever heard in Little Caesars Arena. Justifiably so, by the way. It was the Pistons’ first home playoff victory since 2008 (after 11 straight losses), and as we’re painfully aware, the Red Wings have never hosted a playoff game here.
It went from pent-up to fired-up in a flash as the Pistons scored the first 11 points of the second half. Tobias Harris dropped in a jumper. Cade Cunningham dropped in a jumper, two of his 27 points. Jalen Duren awakened with a slam. Cunningham highlighted the two-minute outburst by grabbing a steal, driving the length of the court and flipping in an off-balance shot as he was fouled. The free throw put the Pistons ahead 55-46, and just like magic, the Magic disappeared.
“It’s Pistons basketball, and that’s what it looks like,” J.B. Bickerstaff said. “We have one off-night and it happened to come at a bad time. But I know what our guys are, and we trusted they were gonna come back and be the best versions of themselves.”
All the usual warnings apply here. It was only one game, just as the Magic’s 112-101 victory was only one game. The series shifts to Orlando on Saturday and the home team surely will inhale some Disney pixie dust. But this performance should calm a few nerves, as the Pistons matched — and overmatched — the Magic’s physicality, rattling them every time they strayed near the rim.
You know how odd it looked Sunday night, when the Magic outscored the Pistons in the paint 54-34? Consider this game a course correction, as the Pistons outscored Orlando 54-34 in the paint. The Pistons had two players in double figures in Game 1; they had six in Game 2.
The defense came from all directions, including one of the Pistons’ favorites. Isaiah Stewart was his menacing self, coming off the bench to score 10 points (4-for-4 shooting), grab five rebounds and block two shots, as the Pistons swatted 11 overall. Beaten on the boards in the opener, they dominated in this one, 57-42.
It was a complete flip, which is known to happen in an NBA playoff series. The Pistons must be vigilant that it doesn’t flip back, and maintain the defensive level that ranked second in the league.
“That’s us,” Stewart said. “If we just be who we are, how we’ve been all season long, we’ll be just fine.”
Just as important, the Pistons found some offense. Duncan Robinson hit three 3-pointers to help loosen the lanes for Cunningham. Harris (16 points) was steady again and Duren rebounded from a rough outing with 11 points and nine rebounds.
The Magic, meanwhile, reverted to who they were for stretches of the season, shooting 23% on 3s. Their big three of Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner and Desmond Bane combined to shoot 13-for-39 from the field.
Not pretty basketball
If you’re looking for pretty basketball, don’t tune into this series. The Magic committed 19 turnovers, while the Pistons piled up 23. When the first half ended, there was murmuring in the stands, and slightly edgier talk in the locker room.
“Oh yeah, J.B. had some words in the locker room,” Stewart said. “I think that lit a fire under us. He said he didn’t want to hear any more ‘my bads,’ any more mistakes.”
Well, a 38-16 third quarter certainly sufficed. Stewart was in the middle of the surge, blocking an attempted dunk by Jalen Suggs, then eclipsing it a few minutes later. Banchero rumbled in for a dunk but Stewart rose up to knock it away. He was called for a foul but it was overturned on review, and the stadium decibels affirmed it.
This is the formula that produced a 60-22 record in the regular season and the No. 1 seed. It’s not overly complicated but it can only function at top speed. When the defense is getting stops and Cunningham is racing the other way, the Pistons are lethal.
Cunningham was even more effective than Game 1, despite scoring fewer points. He shot 11-for-19 and added 11 assists and six rebounds. He also had seven turnovers, and that’s how opponents try to beat the Pistons. Rough up Cunningham, wear him out, dare him to find ball-handling and scoring help. He had seven assists in the decisive third quarter, when he took over the game in his smooth, understated manner.
“I mean, he’s him, and he understands that,” Bickerstaff said. “To have the size, agility, touch, speed, patience, he’s a nightmare matchup for people. It takes multiple bodies to stop him. He’s embraced the moment, and he’s leading us the way he needs to.”
None of this surprised Bickerstaff, who declined to describe the contents of his halftime talk. He said before the game he trusted his team would bounce back with force, and did it ever. More force will be needed and a sharper first half would be nice. Cunningham may look like he can do it all, but as they showed in this one, it sure helps to have help.
Bob.wojnowski@detroitnews.com
@bobwojnowski
This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Wojo: Pistons awaken in timely, punishing style, maul Magic
Reporting by Bob Wojnowski, The Detroit News / The Detroit News
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