LOS ANGELES, United States — Orlando shocked the Detroit, 112-101, in their NBA playoff series opener Monday (Manila time) — a game where the Pistons trailed all the way.
The Pistons looked rusty after having a week off and the Magic, who beat Charlotte on Friday (Saturday Manila time) to secure their playoff spot, took full advantage.
Paolo Banchero scored 23 points and Franz Wagner scored 11 of his 19 in the fourth quarter as the Magic withstood a 39-point performance from Pistons star Cade Cunningham.
Detroit trailed by as many as 13 in the first quarter and by 11 early in the third. A Cunningham 3-pointer tied it with 7:04 left in the third, but the Magic pulled away again.
"I liked our composure the whole game, our energy," Wagner said after the Magic handed the Pistons an 11th straight home playoff defeat, a skid dating back to 2008.