The top-seeded Detroit Pistons pulled off one of the most jaw-dropping comebacks in NBA playoff history on Friday, escaping elimination with a stunning victory over the Orlando Magic to force a decisive Game 7.
Down 3-1 in the series, the Pistons were on the verge of becoming just the seventh No. 1 seed to lose to a No. 8 seed in the first round. But in a game that will be remembered for years, Detroit erased a 24-point second-half deficit thanks to a historic collapse by the Magic.
Orlando, leading 71-54 and looking to close out the series, suddenly went ice cold. The Magic missed 23 consecutive field goals—the longest such streak in playoff history—scoring just one point over a span of more than 10 minutes. The crowd at the Amway Center fell silent as boos echoed through the arena, with Detroit turning a 17-point deficit into an 80-72 lead during a breathtaking 26-1 run.
"Never say die, simple as that. Detroit grit—it's what we've been talking about all year," said Pistons star Cade Cunningham, who finished with 32 points and 10 rebounds, including 19 in the fourth quarter alone.
The game started with Orlando firing on all cylinders. After an even first quarter, the Magic erupted, with Jalen Suggs, Desmond Bane, and Wendell Carter Jr. all draining three-pointers in less than a minute. Paolo Banchero came alive, and Orlando shot 62 percent in the second quarter while holding Detroit to just 12 points. The Magic's lead ballooned to 24 early in the third quarter, and it seemed the series was all but over.
But the Pistons, who dominated the regular season with a 60-22 record, refused to fold. Detroit suddenly won every battle for loose balls, forced turnovers, and watched as Orlando's shooting crumbled under the pressure of trying to secure their first playoff series win since 2010.
Now, the Pistons have a chance to close out the series on their home court Sunday, with a spot in the Eastern Conference semifinals against either the Cleveland Cavaliers or Toronto Raptors on the line. Detroit hasn't won a playoff series since 2008, but with the momentum of this historic comeback, they'll be favorites to advance.
"Thank God we get to take this back to the crib," Cunningham said. "It's gonna be loud in Detroit, and we got to finish our business."