Magic rally past Pistons, seize 2-1 series lead after blown lead

The Orlando Magic turned a collapse into control, closing with a 9-0 burst over the final 2:51 to beat the Detroit Pistons 113-105 and grab a 2-1 lead in their Eastern Conference quarterfinal series. Detroit had erased an eight-point deficit early in the fourth quarter and ripped off a 26-8 stretch over six minutes to briefly seize the game, but Orlando steadied itself at the end and answered the pressure possession by possession.

That finish fit the shape of Orlando’s season. The Magic lost seven straight games in March, a skid that threatened their playoff position, then survived the play-in round just to reach the bracket. Entering the postseason as the No. 8 seed at 45-37, Orlando was forced to keep proving it belonged. Detroit, by contrast, arrived as the East’s No. 1 seed at 60-22 and spent much of Game 3 trying to impose the cleaner, more complete game expected of the favorite.

Paolo Banchero again drove Orlando’s offense, finishing with 25 points, 12 rebounds and nine assists. Desmond Bane also scored 25 points, while Franz Wagner added 17 and Jalen Suggs scored 15. Wendell Carter Jr. gave the Magic 14 points and 17 rebounds, a physical performance that helped Orlando absorb the Pistons’ fourth-quarter push and survive the late scramble.

Detroit leaned on Cade Cunningham, who scored 27 points and handed out nine assists, and Tobias Harris, who added 23. But the Pistons could not finish the job after taking the lead, and the final minutes belonged to Orlando’s composure. The Magic did not win with clean execution for 48 minutes. They won by staying alive long enough to make the closing run.

For Orlando, that distinction matters. This is no longer just a team happy to be in the playoffs after navigating March adversity and the play-in round. The Magic are showing that they can take a punch from a higher-seeded opponent, reset, and execute when the game tightens. In a series where one lost lead can change the mood of everything, that resilience has become part of Orlando’s competitive identity.

Game 4 is scheduled for Monday night in Orlando, where the Magic will try to turn survival into something more stable and push the Pistons one step closer to the brink.