The Orlando Magic are now just one win away from pulling off one of the biggest upsets in recent playoff memory.
Magic ground out a 94-88 victory over the Detroit Pistons on Monday night, taking a 3-1 series lead and leaving the East’s No. 1 seed staring at elimination heading into Game 5 in Detroit.
“We put our ourselves in position to try to get four, but right now it means nothing,” Head coach Jamahl Mosley said. “We have the advantage and now we have to try and make sure we keep that advantage.”
Desmond Bane led the charge with 22 points, while Franz Wagner added 19 before exiting late in the third quarter with right calf soreness.
Wagner is set for an MRI but remains hopeful of returning.
Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr. were among the fans in in the crowd, there to support former teammate Bane.
“It’s special. Those are guys I spent five years with, started my career with, made a lot of memories with,” Bane said. “I’m super thankful that they came out to support. It’s a friendship that will last forever. Those are guys that mean a lot to me.”
Paolo Banchero scored 18 points on a tough shooting night, while Jalen Suggs struggled at 1-for-13 from the field.
Still, Orlando found timely contributions, including a burst from Jamal Cain off the bench that helped swing momentum in the fourth.
Detroit, a 60-win team during the regular season, was led by Cade Cunningham’s 25 points, though his eight turnovers proved costly.
Tobias Harris added 20 but pointed directly to where things have gone wrong.
“We went into the series saying we needed to win a possession game,” Harris said. “That came down to the rebounding battle and also taking care of the basketball and in all of our losses that’s what we haven’t been at our best at. Obviously, we need to limit them from going to the free-throw line. They’ve been able to get us in close-out situations and break us down, get to the lane.”
Bane also warned against writing Detroit off.
“This is a team that won 60 games. I’m sure they’re not blinking an eye about not being able to win three games in a row,” he said.
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