The Detroit Pistons started slow at home in the playoffs, just as they did in all three losses a year ago to the New York Knicks.
The Pistons added to their NBA record home playoff losing streak, as the Orlando Magic stunned the Eastern Conference's No. 1 seed, 112-101, on Sunday night in Game 1 of the NBA playoffs in the first round at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit.
The Pistons (60-22) have lost 11 straight playoff games at home, and are 0-8 all-time at LCA, which opened in 2016.
Cade Cunningham (39 points, playoff career high) and Tobias Harris (17 points) were the lone Pistons to score in double figures. All-Star Jalen Duren (eight points, seven rebounds) was outplayed by Orlando center Wendell Carter Jr. (17 points, six rebounds, five assists).
Orlando (45-37 in the regular season) was led by 23 points from Paolo Banchero, their No. 1 overall pick in 2022, and 19 points from Michigan alumnus Franz Wagner. Desmond Bane added 17 points and Jalen Suggs poured in 16 points.
Game 1 of first round of NBA Playoff between Detroit Pistons and Orlando Magic at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit on Sunday, April 19, 2026.Game 1 of first round of NBA Playoff between Detroit Pistons and Orlando Magic at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit on Sunday, April 19, 2026.Game 1 of first round of NBA Playoff between Detroit Pistons and Orlando Magic at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit on Sunday, April 19, 2026.1 / 3Pistons open 2026 NBA playoffs with Game 1 vs Orlando MagicGame 1 of first round of NBA Playoff between Detroit Pistons and Orlando Magic at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit on Sunday, April 19, 2026.1 / 3Pistons open 2026 NBA playoffs with Game 1 vs Orlando MagicGame 1 of first round of NBA Playoff between Detroit Pistons and Orlando Magic at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit on Sunday, April 19, 2026.2 / 3Pistons open 2026 NBA playoffs with Game 1 vs Orlando MagicGame 1 of first round of NBA Playoff between Detroit Pistons and Orlando Magic at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit on Sunday, April 19, 2026.3 / 3Pistons open 2026 NBA playoffs with Game 1 vs Orlando MagicGame 1 of first round of NBA Playoff between Detroit Pistons and Orlando Magic at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit on Sunday, April 19, 2026.The Pistons trailed the entire game, down as many as 13 (18-5), but crept within one, before entering halftime down 55-51.
The Pistons closed late in the fourth quarter with a five-man lineup that hadn't played one minute together all season: Cunningham, Daniss Jenkins, Kevin Huerter, Isaiah Stewart and Duren.
Game 2 is Wednesday night (7 p.m., ESPN) at LCA. The series shifts to Orlando for Game 3 on Saturday.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Pistons Magic Game 1 score: Banchero, Orlando steal NBA playoff opener