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Magic Beat Pistons 94-88, Lead 3-1, Eye Historic Upset

4/29/2026

Summary

Magic Upset Pistons

Orlando Magic defeated the Detroit Pistons 94-88 in Game 4, taking a 3-1 series lead.
Desmond Bane contributed 22 points and made a clutch three-pointer with 1:16 left.
Franz Wagner exited in the third quarter with right calf soreness and is questionable for Game 5.
The Magic forced 12 turnovers, outrebounded Detroit 52-49, and moved within one win of becoming the seventh No. 8 seed to knock out a No. 1 seed.

Summary

Cade Turnover Record

Cade Cunningham committed 24 turnovers in the last three games, the most in a three-game playoff span since 1977-78.
The Pistons' 2002-03 comeback from a 3-1 deficit against the Orlando Magic, achieved by winning three straight games, set a rare precedent for advancing after such a loss.
Head coach J.B. Bickerstaff enters the playoffs with a career postseason record of 10-22, showing limited playoff success despite strong regular-season performance.

History

Historical Context

In the 1994 NBA playoffs, the Denver Nuggets became the first eighth seed to eliminate a No. 1 seed, beating the Seattle SuperSonics 3-2 after trailing 0-2. The 2024 Orlando Magic, now up 3-1 over top-seed Detroit, hope to repeat that rare upset, which would mark only the second time an 8-seed has toppled a top seed in NBA history.

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Magic Upset Pistons

Orlando Magic defeated the Detroit Pistons 94-88 in Game 4, taking a 3-1 series lead.
Desmond Bane contributed 22 points and made a clutch three-pointer with 1:16 left.
Franz Wagner exited in the third quarter with right calf soreness and is questionable for Game 5.
The Magic forced 12 turnovers, outrebounded Detroit 52-49, and moved within one win of becoming the seventh No. 8 seed to knock out a No. 1 seed.

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