Magic edge ahead of top-seeded Pistons with Game 4 victory

Magic Beat Pistons, Push Series Lead

ORLANDO, Fla. — Desmond Bane scored 22 points, while Franz Wagner piled up 19 points in a dynamic third quarter, guiding the Orlando Magic to a 94-88 victory over the Detroit Pistons on Monday night. This win gives Orlando a 3-1 lead in the series, putting the East’s top-seeded team on the edge of elimination.

Game 5 is set for Wednesday night in Detroit.

Orlando previously faced an elimination game at home during the play-in tournament. Now, they’re striving to become the seventh No. 8 seed in NBA history to topple a No. 1 seed in a playoff series. Historically, this has only occurred four times since the league shifted to a best-of-seven playoff format back in 2003.

For the Magic, Paolo Banchero contributed 18 points, though he struggled with a 4-of-18 shooting performance. Overall, Orlando managed just 32.6 percent from the field, highlighted by Jalen Suggs, who went a rough 1-of-13 from beyond the arc.

Their victory came largely because they controlled the ball well, committing only 12 turnovers compared to Detroit’s 20.

Cade Cunningham led the Pistons with 25 points, while Tobias Harris added 20.

Wagner had to leave the game late in the third quarter due to pain in his right calf.

Jamal Cain stepped up in Wagner’s absence, thrilling fans with a driving dunk on Caris LeVert early in the fourth quarter, followed by a one-handed tip-in that cut the deficit to 87-85 with 4:55 to go.

Even though Suggs misfired on his first eight attempts, he eventually nailed a corner three-pointer to give the Magic an 85-80 advantage. Orser Thompson then tied the game with a layup right before Cain’s crucial putback.

With former teammates Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr. cheering him on from the sidelines, Bane drilled a three-pointer with just over a minute left, expanding Orlando’s lead to 92-86.

The Magic, now boasting 45 regular-season wins, haven’t won a playoff series since 2010 when they fell in the Eastern Conference Finals. The franchise is still seeking its first NBA championship after 37 years.

Conversely, the Pistons, who racked up 60 wins during the regular season, are facing a lengthy postseason drought. They haven’t reached the second round since their East Regional final exit in 2008.

Both teams exchanged double-digit leads throughout the first half, with the Magic ahead 54-52 as they headed into the third quarter.

Fueled by a lively crowd in blue, the Magic jumped out to an impressive 19-7 start, only to falter after missing 13 straight shots, allowing the Pistons to surge ahead 20-5.