Magic push top-seeded Pistons to brink of elimination with 94-88 win in Game 4

Key facts

• Desmond Bane scored 22 points for the Magic in Game 4.
• Franz Wagner added 19 points in three quarters.
• Orlando won 94-88, taking a 3-1 series lead.
• Game 5 is Wednesday night in Detroit.
• The Magic shot 32.6% from the field and committed only 12 turnovers.
• Detroit had 20 turnovers to Orlando's 12.

Magic on the cusp of historic upset

The Orlando Magic are one win away from knocking off the No. 1 seed Detroit Pistons and winning their first playoff series in 16 years. Desmond Bane scored 22 points, Franz Wagner had 19 in three quarters, and the Magic beat the Pistons 94-88 Monday night in Orlando to take a 3-1 series lead, putting the East's top seed on the brink of elimination. Game 5 is Wednesday night in Detroit. The Magic, who had to win an elimination game at home in the play-in tournament, are on the verge of becoming just the seventh No. 8 seed to defeat a No. 1 in a series in league history. It has happened only four times since the playoffs were expanded to a best-of-seven series for all rounds in 2003.

Defensive grit overcomes shooting struggles

Paolo Banchero scored 18 points for the Magic but shot just 4-of-18 from the field. Orlando's overall shooting was a dismal 32.6%, with Jalen Suggs going 1 for 13, including 1 for 11 from 3-point range. Despite these woes, the Magic overcame by protecting the ball, committing only 12 turnovers to Detroit's 20. Coach Jamahl Mosley said, “We put ourselves in position to try to get four, but right now it means nothing. We have the advantage and now we have to try and make sure we keep that advantage.”

Pistons fight back in Game 5 to stay alive

The top-seeded Pistons, who closed the regular season with 60 wins and the third-best record in the NBA, staved off elimination in Game 5 Wednesday with a 116-109 win. However, they failed to cover as a 10.5-point home favorite, and the Over (210.5) cashed. Guard Cade Cunningham scored a franchise playoff-record 45 points. No. 8 seed Orlando had won both of its home games to take a 3-1 series lead, but fell to 0-10 in franchise history on the road in a playoff Game 5. Forward Paolo Banchero matched Cunningham with 45 points, also a playoff career high, and hit 6 three-pointers, but missed 7 of 12 free throws.

Series shifts back to Orlando for Game 6

The Detroit Pistons and Orlando Magic meet Friday in Orlando, Florida, for Game 6 of their first-round Eastern Conference NBA playoff series. Tip at the Kia Center is set for 7 p.m. ET on Prime Video. The Magic lead the series 3-2. Injury concerns for the Pistons: forward Tobias Harris (ankle) and guard Kevin Huerter (adductor) are questionable, while forward Jonathan Isaac (knee) is doubtful. For the Magic, no major injuries have been reported.

Betting odds and expert analysis

the Pistons are -165 moneyline favorites, while the Magic are +135 underdogs. The point spread is Pistons -3.5 (-110) and Magic +3.5 (-110), with an over/under of 210.5. Lines were last updated Thursday at 10:01 p.m. ET. while the Magic (+135) are favored to close out the series, the spread feels more comfortable given that the last three games have all closed with single-digit margins. The Pistons will need to replicate their Game 5 offensive explosion to force a Game 7.

Historic stakes for Orlando and Detroit

A Magic win in Game 6 would mark only the seventh time a No. 8 seed has defeated a No. 1 seed in a playoff series, and the first since the 2012 Philadelphia 76ers beat the Chicago Bulls. For the Pistons, a loss would be a stunning end to a 60-win season, one of the best in franchise history. Bane acknowledged the challenge: “This is a team that won 60 games. I’m sure they’re not blinking an eye about not being able to win three games in a row. They did it multiple times throughout the regular season.” The series now hinges on whether Orlando can close out at home or Detroit can force a decisive Game 7.

The bottom line

• Orlando leads the series 3-2 after a 94-88 win in Game 4 and a 116-109 loss in Game 5.
• Desmond Bane (22 points) and Franz Wagner (19) led the Magic in Game 4; Cade Cunningham scored a franchise playoff-record 45 points in Game 5.
• The Magic shot 32.6% in Game 4 but committed only 12 turnovers to Detroit's 20.
• Orlando is one win from its first playoff series victory in 16 years and becoming the seventh No. 8 seed to upset a No. 1.
• Game 6 is Friday at 7 p.m. ET in Orlando; the Pistons are -165 moneyline favorites.
• Tobias Harris (ankle) and Kevin Huerter (adductor) are questionable for Detroit; Jonathan Isaac (knee) is doubtful.