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No. 1 Detroit Pistons (60-22)
vs. No. 8 Orlando Magic (45-37)
\nHead-to-head this season<\/p>\n
Series tied, 2-2.
\nDetroit d. Orlando 135-116 on Oct. 29, 2025, in Detroit.
\nOrlando d. Detroit 112-109 on Nov. 28, 2025, in Detroit.
\nDetroit d. Orlando 106-92 on March 1, in Orlando.
\nOrlando d. Detroit 123-107 on April 6, in Orlando.<\/p>\n
Story lines<\/p>\n
Orlando\u2019s 31-point lead at halftime over Charlotte on Friday was the biggest at intermission in play-in tournament history.
\nThis 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.
\nIn the four head-to-head meetings, there wasn\u2019t a single instance of a team shooting better than 50.6% in any game. Both teams also defended the 3-pointer extremely well.
\nPistons 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.
\nIt\u2019s 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 \u2014 an Eastern Conference semifinal matchup, also against the Magic. Detroit wound up winning in five games before falling to Boston in that season\u2019s East finals.<\/p>\n
Key matchup<\/p>\n
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\u2019s best player \u2014 and has to be the best player in the series if the Magic are going to have a chance at the upset.
\nAlso worth noting, Magic coach Jamahl Mosley and Pistons coach J.B. Bickerstaff rave about how each other coaches. They\u2019ll both aim to put the other to the test here.<\/p>\n
Schedule<\/p>\n
Game 1: Orlando at Detroit, Sunday, 6:30 p.m. (NBC\/Peacock)
\nGame 2: Orlando at Detroit, Wednesday, 7 p.m. (ESPN)
\nGame 3: Detroit at Orlando, Saturday, April 25, 1 p.m. (Peacock)
\nGame 4: Detroit at Orlando, TBD
\nx-Game 5: Orlando at Detroit, TBD
\nx-Game 6: Detroit at Orlando, TBD
\nx-Game 7: Orlando at Detroit, TBD<\/p>\n
x-if necessary<\/p>\n
Prediction<\/p>\n
The Associated Press NBA writers see the Pistons winning in 7.<\/p>\n
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