Paolo Banchero had 25 points (11 in the fourth quarter) and 12 rebounds, and the Orlando Magic went on a 9-0 run in the fourth quarter to beat the Detroit Pistons 113-105 for a 2-1 lead in the first-round series.
The Pistons had gone on a 26-8 run to lead 105-104 when Franz Wagner’s 16-foot step-back jumper put the Magic ahead for good with 2:30 left. They took a 113-105 lead with 38 seconds left.
Wagner’s 3-pointer with 1:46 left made it 109-105, and Banchero’s pull-up 3-pointer with 38.8 seconds left put it away at 113-105.
During clutch time, the Magic outscored the Pistons 14-5. Banchero scored 8 of the Magic’s 14 on 2 for 3 shooting and 2 for 2 at the line. With 3:01 left, Tobias Harris stole the ball from Jalen Suggs, and Cade Cunningham’s free throws off it put the Pistons ahead 105-104.
Desmond Bane scored 25 points with 7 3-pointers.
For the Pistons, Cunningham had 27 points and 9 assists but shot 8 for 23, and Harris added 23 points. Ausar Thompson had 17 points (12 in the paint), 8 rebounds and 5 blocks on 7 for 10 shooting.
The Pistons got 10 offensive rebounds, about 4 fewer than usual for the shots they missed. The Magic were outscored 16-1 in 4 minutes with Carter, Bane, Suggs, Banchero and Black on the floor together. Jalen Duren fouled out.