Why Magic are nightmare matchup for Pistons as 8-1 NBA playoff upset looms originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Detroit Pistons didn't get the easiest draw in the first round of the NBA's Eastern Conference playoffs.

The Pistons had a stellar regular season that earned them the East's 1-seed, but after the play-in tournament shook itself out, that meant a matchup with the 8-seed Orlando Magic.

The Magic are no normal 8-seed, which has shown as they've jumped out to a 3-1 series lead.

The Pistons clearly could play better. But to some extent, it's also an unfortunate outcome that this was the team they got to play in the first round.

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The Magic were never supposed to be a seed this low in the East standings.

In the offseason, they mortgaged their future in a trade with the Memphis Grizzlies to acquire Desmond Bane.

Bane was supposed to form a big three with Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner. But then for most of this season, at least one of them was out hurt.

The Magic dealt with injuries all over the floor, but the timing worked out OK, because now in the playoffs, they've got their optimal starting five.

Bane, Banchero and Wagner are joined by Jalen Suggs and Wendell Carter Jr. It's a really good unit to start and end games.

The Magic have three of the five best players in this series, and depending on how you feel about Jalen Duren, you could argue three of the best four.

Detroit is talented, but this Pistons group also hasn't been on this stage, and they aren't overwhelmingly more talented by any stretch.

A full-strength Magic team will be a tough out for anyone, and clearly, that includes the Pistons, who are in big trouble.

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