It has been 18 years since the Detroit Pistons have won a playoff series when they defeated the Orlando Magic in 2006.
It has been 23 years since the Detroit Pistons came back from a 3-1 series against the 8th seeded Orlando Magic in 2003.
This year’s Detroit Pistons team just accomplished both of those feats.
History tends to repeat itself, doesn’t it?
The Pistons got out to a 10-5 lead after a lob from Cade Cunningham to Jalen Duren, a rare sighting throughout this series. Paolo Banchero responded
with back-to-back threes and all 11 of Orlando’s first points, mostly from jump shots. Duncan Robinson attempted six three-pointers that were all good looks, but only could connect on one of them. Orlando took a 22-20 lead after the first quarter with Detroit shooting 7-for-20 from the field.
Banchero was doing his best KD impression knocking down multiple tough jumpers. After Orlando went on an 8-0 run, Detroit responded with their own 7-0 run that forced a Jamahl Mosley timeout after Cunningham knocked down his third three of the day to give the Pistons a 38-35 lead. Daniss Jenkins and Desmond Bane would trade three-pointers to tie the game at 43.
That’s when it turned into the Tobias Harris show. Tobi helped Detroit close the quarter on a 20-6 run, including 11 straight coming from Harris. He knocked down a three-pointer, post jumpers, and got to the rim for some tough finishes to finish with 17 points in the quarter alone. The Pistons would take a 60-49 halftime lead over the Magic.
Detroit was led by Harris and Cunningham who combined for 34 first half points. Harris added four rebounds and Cunningham had nine assists. Duren look solid with nine points and eight rebounds while Ausar had two steals and two blocks. Orlando was led by Banchero who had 23 points while shooting 4-for-6 from three, but no other Magic player was in double-digits – Bane was second on the team in scoring with eight points.
It looked like the postseason hopes from Orlando was dwindling after three early turnovers. Cunningham got a dunk in transition that forced an Orlando timeout with Detroit up 66-51. They were able to respond with a 7-0 run that led to a JB Bickerstaff timeout, but he got Cade back in the game and another Cunningham three made it a 78-58 Detroit lead. After Daniss hit a three at the buzzer, the Pistons took a 83-64 lead heading into the final frame.
With only 12 minutes left to seal a Game 7 victory and the first Pistons playoff series win since 2006, Detroit looked to put Orlando out of their misery. A three from Javonte Green put Detroit up 22, a Daniss three put them up 23, and another Tobias three put them up 25 – each shot gave Detroit their largest lead of the game. Orlando put the full-court pressure on and forced some Detroit turnovers that led to a 15-4 run, but Tobias hit a corner three for his 30th point that would be the dagger that would officially end the Magic’s season.
Detroit would go on to win 116-94 behind two 30-bombs from Cunningham and Harris. Cade would finish with 32 points and 12 assists while shooting 10-for-18 from the field while Harris added 30 points and nine rebounds on 11-for-18 shooting. The two combined to make nine of their thirteen three-point attempts. As good as Cade has been this series, Tobias absolutely deserves his own shoutout stepping into the #2 scoring role this series. He scored 20+ points in the previous four games before dropping 30 tonight. If you ask me, Tobias deserves to wear a Pistons jersey for the rest of his career.
Jalen Duren had his best game of the series with 15 points and 15 rebounds along with three assists. Daniss Jenkins added 16 points and five assists off the bench. Duncan Robinson had 10 points despite shooting 2-for-10 from beyond the arc, all of which felt like good looks.
Tune in to Game 7 between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Toronto Raptors at 7:30 PM EST to see who Detroit will match up with in Round 2.
So, how does it feel, DBB? We’re glad we get to share this historical series win with you sickos.
Go Stones.
