Detroit finally got the postseason party it has been waiting nearly two decades for. The Pistons blasted the Orlando Magic 116-94 at Little Caesars Arena yesterday, storming back from a 1-3 series hole as Cade Cunningham and Tobias Harris took turns torching Orlando in a decisive Game 7.
Cunningham steered the show with 32 points and 12 assists, repeatedly carving up the defense in the half-court, while Harris poured in 30 and supplied timely buckets whenever the offense stalled. The win delivers Detroit's first playoff-series triumph since 2008 and books the Pistons a spot in the Eastern Conference semifinals.
Harris lit the fuse late in the second quarter, rattling off 11 straight Pistons points to steady Detroit just before halftime. From there, the hosts leaned into their size and energy. Jalen Duren banged away inside, stacking up eight points and eight rebounds by the break as Detroit grabbed a clear edge on the offensive glass, according to the Detroit Free Press.
Second-half surge and key runs
The game swung for good across one monster stretch. Detroit uncorked a 31-8 run that started with 2:30 left in the second quarter and rolled through the middle of the third, turning a tense elimination game into a comfortable clincher.
Both teams finished with 13 turnovers, but the Pistons made theirs count less. They cashed stops into quick points, took care of the ball as the lead ballooned, and never let Orlando string together a serious push. The play-by-play and box score chart show the momentum swing and the Pistons' statistical edge, per ESPN.
Bench depth and defense
Detroit's depth showed up when Orlando needed a lifeline. Reserve guard Daniss Jenkins caught fire from long range and gave the Pistons a jolt off the bench, helping keep the offense humming while starters rested. On the other end, Detroit tightened the screws in the third quarter, closing driving lanes and contesting shooters just enough to stop the Magic from climbing back.
Paolo Banchero still erupted for 38 points for Orlando, but the Magic could not match Detroit's second-unit scoring or the extra chances created on the offensive glass. Those bench buckets and defensive stands were pivotal in sealing the series, as highlighted by Sports Illustrated.
What’s next
The Pistons' reward for surviving a seven-game slog is home-court advantage in the next round. Detroit will host the winner of the Cleveland Cavaliers–Toronto Raptors Game 7 in the Eastern Conference semifinals, with Game 1 scheduled for Tuesday under the league's playoff slate. The team heads into that matchup with fresh momentum and a city finally buzzing about spring basketball again.
According to NBA.com, specific dates and television windows for the series will be finalized and announced soon.
The victory snaps an 18-year gap between playoff-series wins for Detroit and delivers a cathartic release for long-suffering fans. As the final horn sounded, the crowd poured out of Little Caesars Arena into the night, finally with something to celebrate and plenty to argue about before the next tipoff. Local reaction and fan coverage are available from ClickOnDetroit.
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