The Detroit Pistons have pulled off one of the most stunning comebacks in recent NBA playoff history, erasing a 24-point deficit to defeat the Orlando Magic 93-79 and force a decisive Game 7. Cade Cunningham led the charge with 32 points, showing why he’s the cornerstone of this top-seeded team.
For much of the game, it looked like Orlando was on the verge of making history. The Magic stormed to a 22-point halftime lead and extended it to 62-38 early in the third quarter. They seemed poised to become just the seventh No. 8 seed to eliminate a No. 1 seed in the conference quarterfinals. But then, everything unraveled.
Orlando’s collapse was historic—they became the first team since digital play-by-play tracking began in 1996-97 to lose a home game after leading by at least 24 points with a chance to close out a series. Tobias Harris added 22 points for Detroit, while Paolo Banchero and Desmond Bane each scored 17 for the Magic, who are now 0-2 in closeout opportunities this series. The Pistons will host Game 7 on Sunday.
In another Eastern Conference thriller, the Toronto Raptors forced a Game 7 of their own with a dramatic overtime win over the Cleveland Cavaliers. RJ Barrett nailed a clutch 3-pointer with 1.2 seconds left in OT, and Evan Mobley’s potential game-winning triple bounced off the front rim for Cleveland. Scottie Barnes delivered a stellar all-around performance with 25 points and 14 assists, while Barrett and Ja’Kobe Walter each scored 24. Toronto blew an 11-point lead in the fourth quarter but held on to force a winner-take-all showdown in Cleveland on Sunday. The home team has won all six games in that series so far.
