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Orlando Beats Detroit 94-88, Leads 3-1 Series

4/29/2026

31 6 Full Breakdown

Summary

**Orlando Takes Lead**

Orlando defeated Detroit 94–88 on April 27, 2026, giving the Magic a 3–1 series lead.
Cade Cunningham scored 25 points and committed eight turnovers as Detroit recorded 20 turnovers, which Magic turned into 24 points.
Desmond Bane scored 22, Franz Wagner 19, Paolo Banchero 18 and Wendell Carter Jr. 12 for Orlando.
Game 5 is at 7 p.m. ET on April 29, 2026, at Little Caesars Arena, with Detroit needing three straight wins to survive.

Summary

**Pistons Rally**

The Detroit Pistons joined the 2011 Spurs and 2007 Mavericks as 60-win teams down 3-1 in a playoff series.
Magic coach Jamahl Mosley said his team must stay focused and protect the ball.
Pistons coach J.B. Bickerstaff promised squad will ‘come out punching’ in Game 5 at home.
Center Jalen Duren said Detroit’s turnovers gave the Magic 23 points while forward Franz Wagner left with right-calf soreness, an MRI before Game 5.

History

Historical Context

In 2007 the Dallas Mavericks, a 67-win first seed, erased a 3-1 deficit against the eighth-seed Golden State Warriors, a rare high-seed comeback that underscored Don Nelson’s former team pulling off a historic upset. The 2026 Orlando Magic now lead the Detroit Pistons 3-1, showing that top seeds can still be overturned.

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**Orlando Takes Lead**

Orlando defeated Detroit 94–88 on April 27, 2026, giving the Magic a 3–1 series lead.
Cade Cunningham scored 25 points and committed eight turnovers as Detroit recorded 20 turnovers, which Magic turned into 24 points.
Desmond Bane scored 22, Franz Wagner 19, Paolo Banchero 18 and Wendell Carter Jr. 12 for Orlando.
Game 5 is at 7 p.m. ET on April 29, 2026, at Little Caesars Arena, with Detroit needing three straight wins to survive.

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