Detroit Pistons lose playoff opener to Orlando Magic despite historic season
The Detroit Pistons have suffered a shock 112-101 home defeat to the Orlando Magic in their NBA play-off opener, despite entering the postseason as the top seed following a historic 60-win regular campaign.
The Eastern Conference leaders recently completed the most dramatic two-year turnaround in league history by improving from 14 victories to an astonishing 60.
However, their postseason campaign began disastrously on Sunday as they failed to lead at any point against the eighth-seeded visitors.
The disappointing result marks an 11th consecutive home play-off defeat for the Michigan franchise, extending an unwanted league record.
Doubters remain despite spectacular rebuild
Despite securing the number one seed in November and maintaining that supremacy all season, bookmakers continue to question their championship credentials.
Pre-tournament odds controversially placed the top seeds behind the Boston Celtics, Cleveland Cavaliers, and New York Knicks to conquer the East.
Forward Ausar Thompson insists the young roster is firmly ignoring the external noise.
“We think we could win it all. We don’t think about what other people say. I feel like we could beat anybody.”
Channeling past heartbreak to bounce back
The current squad is fiercely determined to avenge last year’s crushing six-game elimination at the hands of the Knicks.
All-Star point guard Cade Cunningham previously vowed that the lingering pain of that narrow exit would heavily fuel their off-season development.
The true test of that collective mental fortitude now arrives on Wednesday night in a critically important Game 2.
Center Jalen Duren, who recently addressed the home crowd to celebrate their regular-season dominance, remains boldly defiant regarding their prospects.
“We’re not done yet, we’ve got a long way to go.”
The organisation has not celebrated a home play-off victory since the 2008 conference finals, a daunting drought they must urgently end to salvage their spectacular season.
