Beede’s Breakdown: Magic take commanding 3-1 series lead over No. 1 Pistons

Wagner, who previously missed 48 combined regular season contests due to a left high ankle sprain, checked out of the game with 1:34 left in the third quarter and briefly went to the locker room. After making his way back to the bench early in the fourth, Wagner was considered questionable to return due to a right calf strain.

Ultimately, he did not return.

Wagner led the team at the halfway mark with 17 points, scoring 10 points in the paint before the break. Helping defend Cunningham at times, Wagner recorded four of Orlando’s eight steals. He also grabbed five rebounds and dished out three assists.

First quarter of runs

The Magic came out firing and scored the first eight points of the contest behind 3-pointers from Wendell Carter Jr. and Bane.

Orlando’s defense caused problems early for Detroit when the Magic forced seven turnovers in the opening four minutes and jumped out to a 19-7 lead.

Things quickly changed, however, as Orlando’s defense stopped forcing turnovers and its offense came to a halt. The Pistons punched back with a 20-5 run as the Magic at one point missed 13 straight shots from the floor.

With Orlando unable to force another turnover the rest of the opening quarter, Detroit led 27-26 after the first 12 minutes of play.

Bane’s impact

After knocking down seven 3-pointers in Game 3, Bane kept it up from distance when he sunk five triples.

The Magic guard opened 3-for-4 from beyond the arc, hitting two 3-pointers in the final three minutes of the second quarter. He added his fourth 3-pointer late in the third quarter and banked in his fifth with 1:16 remaining in the game.

The performance marked his second straight with 20-plus points, something he did 42 times in the regular season.

Tough going from downtown

After making their first two long-range buckets, the Magic then missed their next 12 3-pointers. Tristan da Silva (six points) snapped the cold streak with a triple at the 6:58 mark of the second quarter.

Detroit started 4-for-8 from 3 but shot 5 for 14 overall in the first half. It ended the night 6 for 30 from distance.

Shooting 6 for 22 on first-half 3s, Orlando finished 9 for 35 overall.

Jason Beede can be reached at jbeede@orlandosentinel.com