Pistons beat Magic 98-83 in Game 2 to even series and end NBA's longest
home playoff losing streak
[April 23, 2026]
By LARRY LAGE
DETROIT (AP) — Cade Cunningham had 27 points, 11
assists and six rebounds to lead the top-seeded Detroit Pistons to a
98-83 win over the eighth-seeded Orlando Magic on Wednesday night,
evening their first-round series and ending the longest home losing
streak in NBA playoff history.
The Pistons had lost 11 straight home postseason games, a drought that
started in 2008. |
Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham (2) takes a shot against Orlando
Magic forward Paolo Banchero (5) as Pistons center Jalen Duren (0) helps
defend during the first half in Game 2 of a first-round NBA basketball
playoffs series Wednesday, April 22, 2026, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane
Burleson) |
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Game 3 is Saturday in Orlando.
Detroit dominated the third quarter, turning a tie game into a
rout by outscoring the Magic 38-16 in the period with six
players scoring at least five points.
After Cunningham scored a career playoff-high 39 points in Game
1 and didn’t get much help, the All-Star guard had plenty of
support, with five teammates scoring in double figures.
Jalen Suggs scored 19 points and Paolo Banchero had 18 for the
Magic. They combined to miss 21 of 35 shots as the team shot 33%
and was held to a season low in points.
Detroit’s Tobias Harris scored 16 points, Jalen Duren and Ausar
Thompson had 11 each, and Duncan Robertson and Isaiah Stewart
each scored 10. Robinson made three much-needed 3-pointers for a
team that struggles with outside shooting.
Orlando’s Franz Wagner and Desmond Bane had 12 points apiece and
Wendell Carter Jr. was limited to three points on 1-of-6
shooting after he scored 17 in the opener.
The Magic did not trail in the opener as their starters scored
at least 16 points apiece and the Pistons had just two players
in double figures.
Detroit took its first lead of the series on the opening
possession of Game 2 and jumped to a 14-7 lead with a
desperately needed strong start after coming out sluggish in
Game 1.
The Pistons led by four points after the opening quarter and the
game was tied at 46 entering the third period, when Detroit
looked like the defensive-minded team that had the best record
in the Eastern Conference.
Both teams will have two days to make adjustments for Game 3.
Detroit hasn't advanced beyond the first playoff round in 18
years and Orlando hasn’t reached the second round in 16 years.
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