In a pivotal Game 6 of the NBA Eastern Conference playoffs first round, the No. 1 seed Detroit Pistons locked down the No. 8 seed Orlando Magic, 93-79, on Friday at the Kia Center in Orlando. The victory sets up a decisive Game 7 back in Detroit, keeping hopes alive for a deep postseason run.
Leading the charge for the Pistons was former Tennessee standout Tobias Harris, who logged a game-high 38 minutes. The veteran forward delivered a clutch double-double, dropping 22 points and snagging 10 rebounds. Despite a tough shooting night, Harris stayed aggressive, connecting on 7-of-20 from the field, 2-of-7 from beyond the arc, and 6-of-9 from the free-throw line. His all-around effort was a key factor in stifling Orlando's offense.
Harris's journey to this moment traces back to his lone season with the Tennessee Volunteers under head coach Bruce Pearl in 2010-11. That year, he averaged 15.3 points and 7.3 assists per game, earning Second-Team All-SEC honors, a spot on the SEC All-Freshman Team, and USBWA Second-Team Freshman All-America recognition. His standout play led to being selected 19th overall by the Charlotte Bobcats in the 2011 NBA draft.
Since then, Harris has carved out a solid NBA career, suiting up for the Milwaukee Bucks (2011-13), Orlando Magic (2013-16), Detroit Pistons (2016-18, 2024-26), Los Angeles Clippers (2018-19), and Philadelphia 76ers (2019-24). Now back in Detroit, his experience is proving invaluable in the playoffs.
Fellow former Vol and rookie Chaz Lanier was a healthy scratch for Detroit in Game 6, sitting out due to a coach's decision.
All eyes now turn to Game 7, scheduled for May 3 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit. Tipoff is set for 3:30 p.m. EDT on ABC. For Pistons fans and Vols supporters alike, it's a must-watch showdown with everything on the line.
