The Detroit Pistons have pulled off one of the most remarkable comebacks in recent NBA playoff history, erasing a 3-1 series deficit and silencing the Orlando Magic with a dominant 110-94 victory in Game 7. It's a win that not only sends the Pistons to the second round but also marks their first playoff series victory since their run to the Eastern Conference finals back in 2008.
Sunday's decisive game was a masterclass in resilience. Despite playing without Franz Wagner, the Magic came out competitive in the first quarter, but the Pistons turned up the heat in the second. Tobias Harris was the catalyst, pouring in 17 of his game-high 30 points in that period alone, sparking a 20-6 run to close the half. From there, the Pistons never looked back, turning the second half into a celebration in Detroit.
This series win carries extra weight considering how close the Pistons came to an infamous collapse. As the No. 1 seed, they were staring down the possibility of becoming just the seventh top seed in NBA history to lose a first-round series. That prospect looked all but certain after the Magic jumped out to a commanding 3-1 lead and appeared ready to close things out in Game 6 on their home floor.
In that elimination game, Orlando led by as many as 24 points in the third quarter. But then, something incredible happened. The Magic's offense went ice cold, missing 23 consecutive field goals in the second half and shooting just 1-of-20 in the fourth quarter. It was the lowest-scoring half by any team in NBA playoff history, as Orlando managed only 19 points after halftime, allowing the Pistons to storm back for a 93-79 win.
That victory set the stage for Sunday's Game 7, where Cade Cunningham was the driving force for Detroit. The young star finished with 32 points and 12 assists, shooting an efficient 10-of-18 from the field and 4-of-6 from beyond the arc. He also took on the tough defensive assignment of guarding Orlando's top option, Paolo Banchero, showing the two-way growth that makes him a cornerstone for this franchise.
Harris was the perfect complement, delivering his fifth straight 20-plus point performance in the series. His second-quarter explosion gave the Pistons the breathing room they needed, and the team never let up. For a Detroit squad that has often struggled to find shot creation outside of Cunningham, Harris's timely scoring was exactly what was needed to punch their ticket to the next round.