Cade Cunningham and Paolo Banchero had a showdown for the ages on Wednesday night as the Detroit Pistons played in a must-win situation. The pair scored 45 points each, but it was the Pistons guard who delivered the biggest shots to give his team a 116–109 victory.
This win means the Pistons will have another chance against the Magic to attempt a rare 1–3 comeback.
Cunningham’s biggest issue remained - the turnovers. He recorded six, but that was largely a result of his aggressive play. He also got to the free-throw line 14 times and converted all of them.
His teammates were more involved as well, with Tobias Harris scoring 23 points, Duncan Robinson adding 12, and Amen Thompson providing the defensive hustle needed to put away the Magic in the final three minutes.
Jalen Duren still hasn’t reached his usual production, finishing with 12 points and nine rebounds.
J.B. Bickerstaff’s squad showed why they are the No. 1 seed and will look to carry that momentum into the next game at the Kia Center in Florida. Fans will also hope the referees are more meticulous with their calls.
Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
The Last Two Minute Report for the game has been released, and officials admitted to making three mistakes—all in favor of the Magic. These calls could have impacted the outcome.
The first occurred with 1:28 remaining, when Wendell Carter Jr. should have been called for a three-second violation. Fortunately for the Pistons, the Magic were unable to capitalize.
Robinson then missed a three-pointer, and Banchero responded with one of his own to cut the deficit to a single possession, 112–109.
The three-second violation on Carter Jr. went uncalled again, as he remained in the paint longer than allowed. This was the second missed call that could have benefited the Pistons.
Fortunately, Detroit held strong defensively, and Cunningham hit a 16-foot fadeaway jumper with 32 seconds left to extend the lead to 114–109.
The Magic failed to score on their next possessions and had to foul Harris, who made two free throws with 22 seconds remaining. Despite the deficit, the Magic continued to fight, although a comeback was already mathematically impossible.
The third officiating mistake occurred in the final three seconds, when Harris was charged with a turnover that should have been called on Anthony Black, who had “his foot on the sideline before Harris (DET) stepped out of bounds.”
