The Detroit Pistons defeated the Orlando Magic 98-83, on Wednesday night (22), and tied the first round series of the NBA Eastern Conference playoffs at 1-1. The victory also ended a historic negative streak for the team at home.
The highlight was Cade Cunningham, who scored 27 points and distributed 11 assists. Tobias Harris contributed 16 points and 11 rebounds, while Jalen Duren and Ausar Thompson each scored 11 points.
With the result, the Pistons ended a streak of 11 consecutive defeats in playoff games at home, the longest in NBA history, and won again at home in the postseason for the first time since 2008. Duncan Robinson and Isaiah Stewart also contributed 10 points each.
“It means a lot. We’ve been hearing about it for a long time, including last year. It was important to us. But Game 3 is what we need to be ready for,” Harris said. “It’s great to give this victory to the fans, who have been instrumental throughout the season, but we need to keep our focus away from home.”
For the Magic, Jalen Suggs scored 19 points, while Paolo Banchero scored 18. Franz Wagner and Desmond Bane each scored 12 points. The team had low shooting success, converting just 26 of 80 attempts, including 8 of 32 on three-pointers.
Game 3 of the best-of-seven series will be played on Saturday (25), in Orlando.
