Cade Cunningham's 32 points lead Pistons past Magic 93-79 to force Game 7 after erasing 24-point deficit

Key facts

• Cade Cunningham scored 32 points and 10 rebounds for Detroit.
• Pistons trailed by 24 points early in the third quarter before rallying.
• Orlando missed 23 consecutive field goals from late third quarter through fourth.
• Magic shot 4-for-37 (11%) in the second half, worst in any half since 1997-98.
• Tobias Harris added 22 points for Detroit despite being questionable with ankle injury.
• Game 7 will be played Sunday, May 3 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit.
• Only 13 teams in NBA history have overcome a 3-1 series deficit.

The Comeback

Cade Cunningham scored 32 points and grabbed 10 rebounds as the top-seeded Detroit Pistons erased a 24-point deficit to defeat the Orlando Magic 93-79 on Friday night, forcing a decisive Game 7 in their Eastern Conference first-round series. The Pistons trailed 62-38 early in the third quarter before mounting the largest playoff comeback in franchise history. Detroit's defense held Orlando without a field goal for the first nine minutes of the fourth quarter, turning a blowout into a stunning reversal. The Magic missed 23 consecutive shots from the field, a streak that began late in the third quarter and extended deep into the fourth, setting a playoff record for most consecutive missed field goals in the play-by-play era.

Historic Collapse

Orlando became the first team since 1996-97 to lose at home after leading by at least 24 points with a chance to win a series. The Magic shot just 4-for-37 (11%) in the second half, the worst field-goal percentage in any half of a regular season or playoff game since 1997-98. Paolo Banchero recorded a double-double with 17 points and 10 rebounds, but struggled to spark his team during the collapse. Desmond Bane also scored 17 points for Orlando, which was again without injured forward Franz Wagner. The Magic are now 0-2 in closeout opportunities in this series.

Pistons' Resilience

Cade Cunningham took over in the fourth quarter, hitting a huge three-pointer with 4:07 remaining to put Detroit up 83-75. Duncan Robinson added 14 points on 5-for-11 shooting, including a dagger three-pointer that extended the lead to 88-75 with 3:10 left. Tobias Harris, listed as questionable with an ankle injury, scored 22 points in another clutch performance. Ausar Thompson contributed six assists and four blocks in an all-around effort. "Detroit grit," Cunningham said. "That's what we've been talking about all year." Pistons coach J.B. Bickerstaff emphasized execution: "We took each possession at a time, both offensively and defensively, and tried our best to execute on every single possession."

Series Context

The Pistons trailed the series 3-1 after Game 4 but have won the last two games to force a winner-take-all Game 7. Only 13 teams in NBA playoff history have overcome a 3-1 deficit. Detroit will host Game 7 on Sunday, May 3 at Little Caesars Arena. The winner will advance to the Eastern Conference Semifinals to face the winner of the series between the Cleveland Cavaliers and Toronto Raptors. The Pistons, as the top seed in the East, are seeking to avoid becoming only the seventh No. 1 seed to lose to a No. 8 seed in the first round.

What's Next

Game 7 promises to be a physical battle. "It's going to be a war," Robinson said. "That's pretty much what every game has been this series, it's been super physical." The Pistons will look to continue their momentum on their home court, while the Magic must regroup after a devastating collapse. Orlando's inability to close out the series now puts them in a precarious position. The Magic had a clear advantage but failed to capitalize, and now face a do-or-die game on the road. Detroit, meanwhile, has seized the momentum and will try to keep the beat going into the next round.

The bottom line

• Detroit forced Game 7 with a 93-79 win after trailing by 24 points in the third quarter.
• Cade Cunningham led the Pistons with 32 points and 10 rebounds.
• Orlando missed 23 consecutive shots, a playoff record for futility.
• The Magic shot 11% in the second half, the worst in any half since 1997-98.
• Game 7 is Sunday, May 3 in Detroit; winner faces Cavaliers or Raptors.
• Only 13 teams have overcome a 3-1 deficit in NBA playoff history.