The Orlando Magic have been aggressive early in Sunday’s Sport 7 regardless of enjoying with out Franz Wagner.
However the Detroit Pistons turned up the warmth within the second quarter to spark a 110-94 win and safe their first playoff collection win since advancing to the Japanese Convention finals in 2008.
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Tobias Harris scored 17 of his 30 factors within the second quarter because the Pistons closed the primary half on a 20-6 run. From there, the second half served as a celebration in Detroit because the Pistons by no means relinquished management.
With the win, the Pistons advance to the second spherical of the playoffs and keep away from the ignominious historical past of changing into the seventh NBA group lose a first-round collection as a No. 1 seed to a No. 8 seed. It’s a prospect that appeared like a protracted shot at greatest after the Magic dazed the Pistons with a 3-1 collection lead.
Magic can’t get better from Sport 6 collapse
The Magic appeared able to have fun the collection upset on their residence court docket in Sport 6 Friday as they prolonged a 60-38 halftime result in 24 factors within the third quarter. However Orlando’s offense when stunningly silent from there.
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The Magic missed 23 consecutive consecutive second-half area objectives and shot 1 of 20 from the sector within the fourth quarter. The end result was the lowest-scoring half by a group in NBA playoff historical past because the Magic mustered simply 19 factors and allowed the Pistons to rally for a 93-79 win.
That win prolonged the collection and allowed the Pistons to return residence Sunday, the place they closed out the collection with relative ease. Cade Cunningham led the way in which for Detroit with 32 factors and 12 assists whereas capturing 10 of 18 from the sector and 4 of 6 from 3. He was additionally tasked for a lot of the sport with defending Orlando’s No. 1 possibility, Paolo Banchero.
Harris, Duren step as much as assist Cunningham
A Pistons group that’s ceaselessly struggled to search out shot creation outdoors of Cunningham received what it wanted from Harris together with his fifth straight 20-plus level effort within the collection. Harris’ second-quarter outburst set the tone for the rest of the sport, and he completed with 30 factors, 8 rebounds and three steals whereas capturing 11 of 18 from the sector and 5 of seven from 3.
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Harris closed the collection with 23, 22 and now 30 factors because the Pistons confronted and survived elimination in three consecutive video games. His effort on Sunday led a 16-of-33 effort from 3 that paced Detroit’s offense.
Jalen Duren was as soon as once more a presence within the put up with 15 factors and 15 rebounds. The primary-time All-Star who averaged 10.5 rebounds within the common season cracked double-digits in rebounds for the primary time within the collection.
The Pistons advance to face the winner of Sunday night time’s Sport 7 between the Cleveland Cavaliers and Toronto Raptors. The Magic, in the meantime, are left to marvel what may need been.
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Blown alternative for Orlando
The Magic had three probabilities to shut out the collection and appeared to have it within the bag with their 24-point lead at residence within the second half of Sport 6. However their historic collapse spoiled their very own shot at making historical past of their favor.
In the long run, they didn’t have sufficient firepower to compete with a Pistons group that completed second within the NBA in defensive ranking within the common season. Wagner missed a 3rd straight recreation Sunday with a calf damage, leaving the Magic with out their No. 2 possibility who was crucial in constructing a 3-1 collection lead.
Banchero stored the Magic afloat with 23 first-half factors en path to 38 factors, 9 rebounds and 6 assists. Desmond Bane added 16 factors whereas capturing 3 of 5 from 3. However it wasn’t practically sufficient for a Magic group that struggled to search out offense towards a smothering Detroit protection.