DETROIT, MI - APRIL 19: Franz Wagner #22 of the Orlando Magic plays defense on Cade Cunningham #2 of the Detroit Pistons during the game during Round One Game One of the 2026 NBA Playoffs on April 19, 2026 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Brian Sevald/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images The playoffs are here, but Detroit’s still looking for their first home playoff win since 2008. The Orlando Magic started off on a 13-5 run, including eight points from an active Jalen Suggs. They were able to extend their lead 18-5 until a Cade Cunningham three stopped the bleeding. After Isaiah Stewart met Paolo Banchero at the rim for a hell of a left-handed block, a Cunningham dunk in transition made it a 27-20 Orlando lead. A 12-0 Detroit run eventually tied the game at 27, but the Magic ended the first quarter on a 8-0 run to take a 35-27 lead heading into the second. DAWG. https://t.co/cJIpSnu2rZ pic.twitter.com/fXeAqrvwV8— Detroit Pistons (@DetroitPistons) April 19, 2026 Coach of the Year finalist JB Bickerstaff stuck to his 11-man regular season rotation, though, three early fouls on Duncan Robinson left extra guard minutes on the floor in the first half. Detroit had multiple opportunities in the second to take the lead for the first time in the game, but could never find that basket when they needed it. Ausar Thompson looked like a Defensive Player of the Year finalist throughout the second quarter as his verticality shined on offensive rebounds and his quickness forced multiple turnovers. Orlando went into halftime with a 55-51 lead. Detroit’s offense needed more outside of Cunningham’s 14 points, but the Magic packed the paint as Jalen Duren only had three field goal attempts. Duncan Robinson and Tobias Harris combined to shoot 3-for-12. The Magic were able to go on another run as they started the second half on a 8-1 run that forced a Bickerstaff timeout. Detroit responded with eight straight points of their own after Harris knocked down a much-needed corner three. And yet, just as the Pistons got close to taking the lead again, Orlando responded with another run, this time with a 12-3 response to force another JBB timeout with the Magic up 79-68 with four minutes left. Detroit was struggling to generate good shots on offense and Orlando held a seven-point lead heading into the fourth. A Duncan Robinson three brought Little Caesars Arena alive to make it a 85-81 game, but Jalen Suggs silenced the crowd with his own three to respond. Orlando started 6-for-6 as a Franz Wagner floater from 18 feet forced a Detroit timeout and extended the Magic lead to eight. All of Orlando’s early shot attempts were difficult or well-contested but they went in nonetheless. Cunningham hit a midrange jumper for his 30th point and the Magic held a 101-92 lead with six minutes left in the game. He was doing his best to carry the offensive load with his shot creation in the Orlando defense and didn’t get much help from his teammates. The Magic offense made difficult shots throughout the fourth to maintain their lead the whole game and they’d go on to win 112-101. This is now the 11th straight home playoff game the Detroit Pistons have lost and they weren’t good enough on either side of the court tonight. Every Magic started had at least 16 points and were able to convert on field goals down low as they outscored Detroit 54-34 in the paint. To be blunt, the Magic played a better version of Detroit’s playstyle. Cunningham looked like a future MVP even after his recent return from a collapsed lung as he finished with 39 points, five rebounds, and four assists. Tobias Harris had 17 points, though, he shot 5-for-15 from the field and 1-for-7 from deep. Harris and Daniss Jenkins combined to miss 11 three-pointers and no other Piston finished in double digits. Javonte Green and Caris LeVert each played less than five minutes. Orlando did a great job of limiting Jalen Duren on both ends as he only had eight points and seven rebounds, but he only had four shot attempts as well. After being Cade’s right-hand-man all year long, JB Bickerstaff is going to have to find ways to get Duren more involved on the offensive end in Game 2. Most of all, JBB can’t let Orlando be a better version of Detroit wants to be. They’ll respond and play like the #1 seed that they are. Go Stones. ...read more read less