Magics vs. Pistons – NBA playoff preview at a glance

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No. 1 Detroit Pistons (60-22)
vs. No. 8 Orlando Magic (45-37)
Head-to-head this season

Series tied, 2-2.
Detroit d. Orlando 135-116 on Oct. 29, 2025, in Detroit.
Orlando d. Detroit 112-109 on Nov. 28, 2025, in Detroit.
Detroit d. Orlando 106-92 on March 1, in Orlando.
Orlando d. Detroit 123-107 on April 6, in Orlando.

Story lines

Orlando’s 31-point lead at halftime over Charlotte on Friday was the biggest at intermission in play-in tournament history.
This one has all the makings of a grind-it-out, blue-collar series between a pair of physical clubs that have no problem being aggressive on the defensive end.
In the four head-to-head meetings, there wasn’t a single instance of a team shooting better than 50.6% in any game. Both teams also defended the 3-pointer extremely well.
Pistons star Cade Cunningham averaged 32.7 points in three games against Orlando this season; a big key will be whether he can come close to that in the postseason.
It’s been a long time since Pistons fans can say this: Game 1 is at home. The opener of the Detroit-Orlando series Sunday will be the first time the Pistons open any playoff series on their home floor since 2008 — an Eastern Conference semifinal matchup, also against the Magic. Detroit wound up winning in five games before falling to Boston in that season’s East finals.

Key matchup

Jalen Duren vs. Paolo Banchero. These guys are both big and strong, and when they play with a chip on their shoulders, look out. Duren is in the mix for some NBA awards this season and Banchero is Orlando’s best player — and has to be the best player in the series if the Magic are going to have a chance at the upset.
Also worth noting, Magic coach Jamahl Mosley and Pistons coach J.B. Bickerstaff rave about how each other coaches. They’ll both aim to put the other to the test here.

Schedule

Game 1: Orlando at Detroit, Sunday, 6:30 p.m. (NBC/Peacock)
Game 2: Orlando at Detroit, Wednesday, 7 p.m. (ESPN)
Game 3: Detroit at Orlando, Saturday, April 25, 1 p.m. (Peacock)
Game 4: Detroit at Orlando, TBD
x-Game 5: Orlando at Detroit, TBD
x-Game 6: Detroit at Orlando, TBD
x-Game 7: Orlando at Detroit, TBD

x-if necessary

Prediction

The Associated Press NBA writers see the Pistons winning in 7.

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