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abr 28 2026ORLANDO. The Orlando Magic defeated the Detroit Pistons 94-88 in the NBA playoffs and took a commanding 3-1 series lead. Led by Desmond Bane with 22 points and supported by Franz Wagner and Paolo Banchero, the eighth seed from the East has pushed the conference's top seed to the edge of elimination.
The start was electric for Orlando. Buoyed by their home crowd, the Magic opened with a run that gave them a 19-7 advantage. However, Detroit responded with character and capitalized on a lengthy offensive drought from the home team to answer with a 20-5 run that shifted the game's momentum. The Pistons even took a 40-30 lead midway through the second quarter, showing why they were the best team in the East during the regular season.
Still, the Orlando Magic regrouped before halftime and went into the break ahead 54-52. In a slugfest shooting-wise, the Florida team found solutions through defense and ball control. Although they shot just 32.6%, they committed only 12 turnovers, a decisive difference compared to Detroit Pistons' 20 turnovers.
The third quarter brought another setback for Orlando with Franz Wagner exiting due to right calf soreness with 1:34 remaining. The game then entered a period of maximum tension. Jalen Suggs, who had been off-target until that moment, hit a crucial three-pointer from the corner for an 85-80 lead, though Ausar Thompson answered with a quick equalizer.
That's when Jamal Cain emerged with two high-energy plays: a driving dunk and a spectacular putback that returned control to the Magic. And at the decisive moment, Desmond Bane appeared, nailing a three-pointer off the glass with 1:16 remaining to make it 92-86 and essentially seal the game.
Bane finished with 22 points, Wagner added 19 in three quarters, and Banchero contributed 18 despite shooting 4 of 18. For Detroit, Cade Cunningham posted 25 points and Tobias Harris added 20.
Orlando Magic, which already survived an elimination game in the NBA play-in tournament, is one victory away from eliminating the top seed and pulling off one of the biggest playoff surprises in recent memory. Game 5 will be played in Detroit.
