Paolo Banchero scores 23 and Magic beat Pistons 112-101 to extend NBA's
longest home postseason skid
[April 20, 2026]
By LARRY LAGE
DETROIT (AP) — Paolo Banchero had 23 points, nine
rebounds and four assists to lead the eighth-seeded Orlando Magic to a
112-101 win over the top-seeded Detroit Pistons on Sunday night in Game
1 of their first-round series, extending the longest home playoff losing
streak in NBA history. |
Orlando Magic guard Desmond Bane (3) grabs a rebound in front of Detroit
Pistons forward Ronald Holland II, top right, during the first half in
Game 1 of a first-round NBA basketball playoffs series Sunday, April 19,
2026, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson) |
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Detroit has dropped 11 straight home games in the postseason, a
drought that dates to 2008.
The Pistons will get another chance against Orlando on Wednesday
night in Game 2.
Detroit's Cade Cunningham scored a playoff career-high 39 points
and Tobias Harris added 17 for the Pistons, but the rest of
their teammates were quiet offensively.
Franz Wagner scored 11 of his 19 points in the fourth quarter to
help seal the victory for the Magic, who never trailed.
Orlando’s Desmond Bane and Wendell Carter scored 17 points each
and Jalen Suggs had 16.
The Pistons haven’t advanced beyond the first round in the
postseason in 18 years and the Magic haven’t since 2010.
Orlando looked ready and Detroit looked rusty early.
The Magic, coming off a rout of Charlotte in a play-in game on
Friday, led 18-5 midway through the first quarter after holding
the Pistons to 1-of-6 shooting with four turnovers in their
first game in a week.
Detroit rallied to pull within two before Orlando closed with
six straight points to lead 35-27 after Banchero and Suggs
combined to score 20 points.
The Magic led 55-51 at halftime.
The Pistons came out flat in the second half and Orlando took
advantage, scoring eight of the first nine points and prompting
Detroit coach J.B. Bickerstaff to call a timeout.
Detroit scored 10 straight points and 13 of 15 to pull into a
65-all tie on Cunningham’s 3-pointer.
Banchero answered with a long jumper over Jalen Duren and Bane
followed with a 3-pointer over Cunningham, leading to the Magic
restoring a double-digit lead. Orlando led 81-74 going into the
fourth quarter.
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