Report by Dr. Talal Osman
Orlando Magic held firm against a late comeback from the Detroit Pistons, the Eastern Conference leaders in the regular season, and opened a surprising 2‑1 series lead in the first round of the NBA playoffs.
Paolo Banchero and Desmond Bane topped the scoring chart for the Magic with 25 points each, leading their team to a thrilling 113–105 victory in front of the home crowd in Orlando.
The Magic seemed on the verge of letting their win slip away after blowing a 17‑point lead in the fourth quarter, as Cade Cunningham carried Detroit on a strong run and finished as the game’s top scorer with 27 points.
However, even after the Pistons surged ahead by one point with three minutes to go, they were unable to score again. The Magic regained control and closed the game with a 9‑point unanswered run, sealing the series‑shift victory.
With less than 30 seconds remaining, a three‑point attempt by Banchero rattled off the rim—then fell through the net, confirming the home‑court win.
Banchero finished with 12 rebounds and nine assists, while Desmond Bane sank seven triples, tying the franchise record for three‑pointers in a single playoff game.
Banchero said:
“We know our true value and what we have inside the locker room, so we are not afraid of them.”
Orlando reached the playoffs after a hard‑fought battle through the play‑in tournament, edging past the Charlotte Hornets as the lowest‑seeded team in the Eastern Conference.
The Magic will now have a chance to extend their lead when they host Game 4 on Monday, before the series returns to Detroit.
Despite Detroit’s regular‑season record of 60 wins and 22 defeats as Eastern Conference leaders, the Pistons now must win three of the remaining four games to avoid elimination.
Banchero added:
“We have great respect for them, but we need to be ready for Monday’s game.”
