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Cunningham, Banchero each 45; Pistons record, lead 3-2

5/1/2026

50 5 Full Breakdown

Summary

Cunningham Scores 45

Cade Cunningham scored 45 points as Detroit beat Orlando 116-109 in Game 5, setting a new Pistons playoff scoring record.
Paolo Banchero also posted 45 points with nine rebounds, seven assists and 54.8% shooting, matching the second 45-point duel in playoff history.
Detroit outrebounded Orlando 16-8 on the offensive glass, taking a 3-2 series lead into Game 6 in Orlando as forward Franz Wagner missed with a calf strain.

Summary

Cunningham Extends

Cade Cunningham signed a five-year, $269 million extension in 2024, shaping the Pistons’ roster strategy.
Coach J.B. Bickerstaff called Cunningham “special” and a leader who “understands the moment.”
Former Pistons star Jalen Rose put Cunningham in the NBA GOAT conversation with Michael Jordan and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.
Analysts flagged the Pistons’ three-point weakness, noting a 5-of-20 shooting performance beyond the arc without Cunningham.

History

Historical Context

In May 1995, Michael Jordan scored 45 points in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals, completing a sweep of the Orlando Magic, who featured Shaquille O’Neal. That performance helped cement Chicago’s global brand and set a benchmark for clutch scoring. Cade Cunningham’s 45-point outing against the same Magic in 2024 revives that legacy, linking Detroit’s rising star to Jordan’s historic moment.

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Cunningham Scores 45

Cade Cunningham scored 45 points as Detroit beat Orlando 116-109 in Game 5, setting a new Pistons playoff scoring record.
Paolo Banchero also posted 45 points with nine rebounds, seven assists and 54.8% shooting, matching the second 45-point duel in playoff history.
Detroit outrebounded Orlando 16-8 on the offensive glass, taking a 3-2 series lead into Game 6 in Orlando as forward Franz Wagner missed with a calf strain.

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