NBA: Pistons aiming to avoid historic early exit vs. Magic

The Detroit Pistons are now facing elimination after falling into a 3-1 deficit against the Orlando Magic in their best-of-seven first-round playoff series, following a 94-88 road loss on Monday. Game 5 shifts back to Detroit on Wednesday night, where the Pistons must win to extend their season.

Only six No. 1 seeds in NBA history have been eliminated by a No. 8 seed in the opening round. Detroit, which won 60 games in the regular season, is at risk of joining that list—and becoming the first top seed since the 2023 Milwaukee Bucks to suffer an early playoff exit.

For much of the series, Orlando has looked like the more composed and effective team. With the exception of Detroit’s third-quarter surge in Game 2, the Magic have controlled key stretches on both ends of the floor.

Orlando’s defense has been particularly effective in limiting the Pistons’ primary pick-and-roll duo of Cade Cunningham and Jalen Duren. The result has been a struggling Detroit offense that has lacked rhythm and consistency.

“The way that we’ve been playing, that stuff’s not good enough to win games in this league,” Cunningham said. “This league is too good. They’re a good team. They’re outrebounding us, turning me over, and we haven’t hit enough shots. Our defense hasn’t caught its footing. It’s not shocking that we’re losing games playing like that.”

With Duren largely neutralized by Wendell Carter Jr. and Orlando’s defensive schemes, Cunningham has carried a heavy offensive load. He is averaging 29.5 points in the series but is shooting just 42.4% from the field and 28.6% from three-point range. Turnovers have also been a major issue, with Cunningham averaging 6.8 per game, including eight in Game 4.

“Yeah, it’s frustrating,” Cunningham said. “A lot of it was on myself. I was frustrated with my own play—having numbers but not making plays in transition, the things I do best. They killed us on the offensive glass, our defense didn’t hold up. We’re all frustrated. We’ve got to fix it and come back better.”

Detroit’s poor three-point shooting has further hurt its chances, with the team hitting just 27.5% from beyond the arc in the series.

Despite holding the series advantage, Orlando understands the challenge of closing out a desperate opponent on the road.

“This is a team that won 60 games,” said guard Desmond Bane. “I’m sure they will not blink at the opportunity to win three in a row. They did it multiple times during the regular season. We’re going to have to come ready to play. I’m excited about the challenge.”

Paolo Banchero and Bane have led Orlando offensively, averaging 21.0 and 19.0 points per game, respectively. Franz Wagner added 19 points in Game 4 but exited with calf tightness, leaving his availability for Game 5 uncertain.

In Wagner’s absence, Jamal Cain provided a spark off the bench, highlighted by a powerful second-half dunk over Duren. He finished with eight points and nine rebounds.

“We’ve put ourselves in position to try to get four,” said Magic head coach Jamahl Mosley. “Right now, it means nothing. We have the advantage, and we’ve got to make sure we keep it.” -Field Level Media/Reuters