The Detroit Pistons forced a Game 7 on Friday after a 93-79 comeback win against the Orlando Magic. In the first half, it felt like the Pistons' season was going to end. However, the team worked together to get the necessary defensive stops and make shots on the other end.
The Pistons were led by star guard Cade Cunningham, who had 32 points, 10 rebounds and four steals in 42 minutes. Cunningham was aggressive on the floor and went 10-for-12 from the free-throw line.
Veteran forward Tobias Harris also had a big game for Detroit, and finished with 22 points and 10 rebounds.
The Pistons Made History Against the Magic
Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images
According to the NBA, the Pistons "recorded the largest comeback by a road team facing elimination since the 1996-97 season." Detroit overcame a 24-point lead to tie the series 3-3.
In the first half, the Magic were in the driver's seat. They had a commanding 60-38 lead heading into halftime. However, the team struggled to find its rhythm in the latter two quarters.
Orlando recorded 23 straight missed shots, and the team struggled to add more points to its total. On top of that, they couldn't stop the Pistons on the defensive end. Magic head coach Jamahl Mosley couldn't hide his disappointment with the team's performance.
“There’s no other way to put it, it does suck,” the coach said.
On the other end, Pistons head coach JB Bickerstaff credited the team's top-notch defensive performance. He thinks the players' defensive perseverance in Game 6 was a major factor in their victory.
"That was a special performance. To hold them to 19 points in the second half, eight points in the final quarter, that was one of the defensive outputs that’ll go down in the history books," Bickerstaff said.
The Pistons are ready for Game 7 on Sunday at the Little Caesars Arena. It will be the second Game 7 in the Eastern Conference playoffs. The other contest is between the Boston Celtics and the Philadelphia 76ers.
"Until it’s over for us, it ain’t over and they have just continued to impress me time and time again. You get spoiled by it, but we just have that mentality that you have to choke the life out of us, and if not we’ll keep swinging," the Pistons head coach added.
The Pistons kept their season alive and will have the support of their home fans for Game 7.
