Pistons rally from 24-point deficit vs. Magic to force Game 7
ORLANDO, Fla. — Desmond Bane scored on an up-and-under layup to open the third quarter. His basket gave the Orlando Magic a 24-point lead (62-38). At the time, it appeared the Magic were on the trajectory of a blowout victory, but the Detroit Pistons refused to surrender. They picked up their production on both ends to open the third quarter. On the defensive end, they held Orlando to 1-of-8 ...
The Orlando Magic's Jalen Suggs scores over the Detroit Pistons' Duncan Robinson during the first half in Game 6 of a first-round playoff series at the Kia Center on Friday, May 1, 2026, in Orlando, Florida.
Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel/TNS
ORLANDO, Fla. — Desmond Bane scored on an up-and-under layup to open the third quarter. His basket gave the Orlando Magic a 24-point lead (62-38). At the time, it appeared the Magic were on the trajectory of a blowout victory, but the Detroit Pistons refused to surrender.
They picked up their production on both ends to open the third quarter. On the defensive end, they held Orlando to 1-of-8 shooting. On the offensive end, the Pistons capitalized on their defensive stops with a 16-4 run through the first six minutes of the second half.
The momentum Detroit established in its second-half rally was enough for the Pistons to come within two points with eight minutes left in the fourth quarter. Tobias Harris gave the Pistons a 74-72 lead after connecting on a pair of foul shots. It became a lead the Pistons did not relinquish.
As a result, for the second consecutive game, the Pistons have staved off elimination. This time, it came during the 93-79 Game 6 win on Friday night inside Kia Center. The Pistons have forced a Game 7 with the series tied at 3-3.
"Never say die," Cade Cunningham said after the victory. "It’s as simple as that."
The Pistons would go on to outscore Orlando 31-8 in the period. Their defense held the Magic to 4-of-37 shooting in the second half, 1-of-20 shooting in the fourth quarter.
Cunningham led the Pistons with 32 points, 10 rebounds and four steals. He scored 24 points in the second half. Harris added 22 points and nine rebounds. Paul Reed made a significant impact by playing 10 minutes off the bench, finishing with six points, six rebounds and two blocks.
Bane and Paolo Banchero each scored 17 points for the Magic.