Orlando Magic upset top-seeded Detroit Pistons in playoff opener
Paolo Banchero scored 23 points to lead the eighth-seeded Orlando Magic to a shock 112-101 victory over the top-seeded Detroit Pistons in Game 1 of their Eastern Conference first-round playoff series on Sunday.
The surprise road win in Michigan extends the longest home playoff losing streak in NBA history, with Detroit having now dropped 11 consecutive postseason games on their own court since 2008.
Cade Cunningham poured in a playoff career-high 39 points for the hosts, but received minimal offensive support beyond 17 points from veteran forward Tobias Harris.
Magic capitalise on early Detroit rust
Having secured their postseason berth via a dominant play-in victory over the Charlotte Hornets on Friday, the Florida franchise arrived with evident momentum.
They surged to an 18-5 lead midway through the opening quarter, suffocating a rested Detroit outfit that managed just one successful field goal from their first six attempts.
Despite a brief rally from the top seeds to pull within two points, a combined 20-point first-quarter effort from Banchero and Jalen Suggs ensured Orlando maintained a 35-27 advantage.
The visitors eventually took a narrow 55-51 lead into the half-time interval.
Wagner seals shock series opener
Detroit head coach J.B. Bickerstaff was forced into an early second-half timeout after his side conceded eight of the first nine points following the restart.
A resilient 13-2 run from the home side eventually tied the contest at 65 apiece, capped off by a crucial three-pointer from their star guard Cunningham.
However, Banchero immediately responded with a contested jumper, sparking a decisive sequence that restored a double-digit cushion for the underdogs heading into the fourth quarter.
German international Franz Wagner then took control in the final period, scoring 11 of his 19 total points alongside 17-point contributions from Wendell Carter and Desmond Bane to safely navigate the visitors to the final buzzer.
The Pistons, who have not advanced past the first round in 18 years, will attempt to level the series when they host Game 2 on Wednesday evening.
