Cade Cunningham scores 45 points as Detroit Pistons beat Orlando Magic
Cade Cunningham scored a franchise playoff-record 45 points as the top-seeded Detroit Pistons beat the Orlando Magic 116-109 on Wednesday to stave off NBA playoff elimination.
The Eastern Conference leaders entered Game 5 with their season on the line against the eighth-seeded visitors.
However, their star guard delivered a masterful performance to ensure the series extends to a sixth game.
Historic duel at Little Caesars Arena
The contest developed into an unforgettable shootout between two of basketball’s brightest young offensive talents.
Orlando forward Paolo Banchero matched the Detroit playmaker blow-for-blow, keeping his team in the fight with 45 points of his own.
This remarkable scoring exchange marks only the second time in NBA playoff history that opposing players have both registered 45 points or more.
The only previous occurrence came inside the 2020 Covid-19 bubble, when Donovan Mitchell and Jamal Murray traded 50-point games.
“Not everybody is blessed with those types of opportunities to have pressure and things on the line like that,” Cunningham said.
“A lot of times I feel undeserving of how great of moments I get to be a part of. Just try to make the most of it.”
Late drama secures vital victory
Despite holding a 15-point advantage early in the fourth quarter, the hosts saw their comfortable lead rapidly evaporate.
Banchero, shouldering the offensive load in the absence of injured team-mate Franz Wagner, hit four three-pointers in the final period.
A catch-and-shoot triple from the visiting star reduced the deficit to just three points with slightly over a minute remaining.
Yet Detroit’s talisman responded with ultimate composure to finally put the game out of reach.
Driving down the right flank, Cunningham executed a perfect 16-foot fadeaway jumper over the defence with 32 seconds left on the clock.
“In the heat of the moment, you’re not really thinking about it, you’re just thinking about getting the win,” Banchero reflected.
“But sure, one day I’ll look back and be like, ‘That was a hell of a game’.”
Free-throw struggles cost visitors
While the Magic displayed immense resilience without Wagner, who was sidelined by a right calf strain, their inaccuracy from the foul line proved costly.
The Florida franchise missed 14 free throws overall, with their leading scorer squandering seven of his 12 attempts.
Conversely, the Pistons capitalised on a dominant 20-point second quarter from their point guard to establish a solid foundation for the win.
His 45-point total eclipses the previous Detroit playoff record of 44, set by Dave Bing in 1968.
