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Detroit Completes Comeback, Wins Game 7, 116-94

5/4/2026

27 2 Full Breakdown

Summary

Pistons Complete Comeback

Detroit beat Orlando 116-94 in Game 7 on May 4, completing a 3-1 comeback.
Cade Cunningham (32) and Tobias Harris (30, nine rebounds) became the first Pistons teammates to score 30 points in a playoff game since 1977.
Paolo Banchero’s 38 points, nine rebounds and five blocks for Orlando preceded Detroit’s Tuesday hosting of Cleveland in the Conference semifinals.

Summary

Pistons Triumph

Detroit fans erupted in the arena and flooded the streets, turning the victory into a city-wide celebration that revived the city’s basketball spirit.
Head coach J.B. Bickerstaff said he never doubted his squad would win the series, emphasizing unwavering confidence.
The win is hailed as the culmination of a two-decade rebuilding effort that ended mismanagement and validated the franchise’s recent overhaul.

Summary

Pistons Lockdown

The Detroit Pistons posted the league’s top defense with a net rating of 101.9, holding Orlando to a league-low 97.7 points per game.
Jarrett Allen recorded his best playoff game with 22 points, 19 rebounds, three blocks and two steals.
Game 1 of the second-round series will be played Tuesday at 7 p.m. in Little Caesars Arena, airing on Peacock and NBCSN/950.

Summary

Pistons Game-7

FanDuel Sportsbook lists Detroit as an 8.5-point favorite over Orlando for Game 7.
Kevin Huerter is questionable because of an adductor injury, leaving the Pistons short-handed.
Franz Wagner misses his third straight game with a right calf strain, hampering the Magic’s offense.
Game 7 begins at 3:30 p.m. ET on Sunday, May 3, with ABC as the broadcaster.
Detroit holds a 5-5 Game 7 record and remains unbeaten in four home Game 7 contests.

History

Historical Context

In early 2000s, Joe Dumars rebuilt the roster adding Billups, Hamilton and Prince; Larry Brown was hired in 2003 and added Rasheed Wallace in February 2004, when the Pistons captured their third NBA title, beating the Lakers and ending a 14-year championship drought. Decades later, under J.B. Bickerstaff, Detroit staged a Game 7 comeback in 2024, reviving the city’s basketball spirit.

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Pistons Complete Comeback

Detroit beat Orlando 116-94 in Game 7 on May 4, completing a 3-1 comeback.
Cade Cunningham (32) and Tobias Harris (30, nine rebounds) became the first Pistons teammates to score 30 points in a playoff game since 1977.
Paolo Banchero’s 38 points, nine rebounds and five blocks for Orlando preceded Detroit’s Tuesday hosting of Cleveland in the Conference semifinals.

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