{"id":725113,"date":"2026-05-04T03:15:27","date_gmt":"2026-05-04T03:15:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/725113\/"},"modified":"2026-05-04T03:15:27","modified_gmt":"2026-05-04T03:15:27","slug":"pistons-rout-magic-to-cap-comeback-book-nba-playoff-clash-with-cavaliers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/725113\/","title":{"rendered":"Pistons rout Magic to cap comeback, book NBA playoff clash with Cavaliers"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Detroit Pistons routed the Orlando Magic 116-94 on Sunday to cap a remarkable NBA playoff comeback and book an Eastern Conference semi-final clash with Cleveland<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Cade Cunningham scored 32 points and handed out 12 assists and Tobias Harris<\/a> added 30 points with nine rebounds as the Pistons, who trailed 3-1 in the best-of-seven series, wrapped up a 4-3 triumph.<\/p>\n

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In Cleveland<\/a>, the Cavaliers weathered a hot start from Toronto<\/a> to beat the Raptors 114-102 and secure a 4-3 win in a series in which the home team won every game.<\/p>\n

The Pistons, who locked up the top seed in the East with the third-best record in the league, notched their first playoff series victory since 2008.<\/p>\n

“It’s great,” Cunningham said after the Pistons became the 15th team to climb out of a 3-1 hole — one day after the Philadelphia 76ers<\/a> accomplished the feat against Boston<\/a>.<\/p>\n

“We had a great regular season, we built a lot of momentum going into these playoffs,” Cunningham said. “To lose in the first round would have really stung.<\/p>\n

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“To come back from 3-1, odds against us, and to come back and win it at home — it feels good.”<\/p>\n

Detroit had already fended off elimination with victories in games five and six against the Magic — erasing a 24-point deficit on Friday to force Sunday’s decider.<\/p>\n

It’s the second time the Pistons have rallied from 3-1 down to top the Magic, having accomplished the feat in the first round in 2003.<\/p>\n

“They really pushed us to the limit,” Cunningham said. “We’ve grown a lot because of this series, because of that team.”<\/p>\n

Paolo Banchero<\/a> scored 38 points with nine rebounds and six assists for Orlando but got precious little scoring support.<\/p>\n

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Banchero scored the Magic’s first 11 points and Orlando emerged from a tight first quarter with a two-point lead.<\/p>\n

The back-and-forth action continued early in the second, Detroit finally creating some separation behind a 17-point second-quarter outburst from Harris.<\/p>\n

They led 60-49 at halftime and pushed their lead to as many as 25, taking full advantage of 16 Magic turnovers that led to 19 Pistons points.<\/p>\n

“We’re excited for what’s to come,” Cunningham said. “We want to win games, win series and (our) ultimate goal is a championship.”<\/p>\n

That quest continues with game one against Cleveland on Tuesday.<\/p>\n

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– Allen masterclass –<\/p>\n

The Cavs<\/a>, behind a masterclass from center Jarrett Allen<\/a>, notched the franchise’s fifth straight game-seven triumph as they vanquished the Raptors for the fourth time in four post-season meetings.<\/p>\n

Cleveland erased an early 10-point deficit to go into halftime tied at 49-49 and opened the third quarter on a 9-0 scoring run.<\/p>\n

They out-scored the Raptors 38-19 in the third, Allen scoring 14 of his 22 points and pulling down 10 of his 19 rebounds in the period.<\/p>\n

“I just wanted to show my teammates that we can win this game,” said Allen, who added two steals and three blocked shots.<\/p>\n

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His dominance on the boards helped the Cavs win the rebounding battle 60-33.<\/p>\n

“Energy and effort, that’s what I believe wins games,” Allen said. “If you do it on the defensive end, everything translates to the offense.<\/p>\n

“Every single possession, it means a lot,” he added of the game-seven intensity. “Every single possession means it could be the end of the season.”<\/p>\n

Donovan Mitchell<\/a> added 22 points for Cleveland and emerged unscathed from his own energetic leap for a ball which landed him in the third row of Rocket Arena seats early in the third quarter.<\/p>\n

Veteran James Harden<\/a> chipped in 18 points.<\/p>\n

Scottie Barnes<\/a> led the Raptors with a game-high 24 points, but Toronto’s ability to respond in the second half took a hit when foul trouble sent him to the bench for extended minutes.<\/p>\n

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