Detroit Pistons know they need return of identity for Game 3 vs Magic

"It’s who we are and who we’ve been and that’s what our focus is," he continued. "Again, give Orlando credit, they are a good basketball team. We have to make sure that we’re focused and doing the things that we’ve done and I thought that third quarter was an example of that and our ability to turn defense to offense."

Among the many uncharacteristic aspects of Sunday's loss, a particular standout was the Pistons' lack of gusto – particularly on defense. They were elite on that end of the floor during the regular season, with the second-best defensive rating in the league wile leading in both blocks and steals per game by substantial margins. Their body language didn't convey confidence as the Magic opened the game with an 18-5 run and had an answer for every Pistons run thereafter, hitting difficult shots to close it out in the fourth.

The malaise carried into Wednesday's first half. They led for 20 minutes and 26 seconds, and stretched the margin to eight points but couldn't hold it. Despite being held 32.6% shooting, the Magic remaining competitive by beating the Pistons to 11 offensive rebounds and getting to the line more frequently. The Pistons also hurt themselves with 12 turnovers.

So it was cathartic at Little Caesars Arena when the Pistons opened the second half with the swagger they had been lacking. The Magic were left scant room to operate offensively as the Pistons swarmed the ball and denied position on the floor. The third quarter began with a 11-0 run, a Desmond Bane 3-pointer for the Magic and then a 19-0 Pistons run.

That was the only made field goal of the second half for Bane, who historically has had success against the Pistons including a career-high 49 points in a game in December 2023. Through two games, the Pistons have all but eliminated him. He finished with 12 points on 2-for-7 shooting on Wednesday following a 17-point performance (on 7-for-20 shooting) Sunday.

Detroit Pistons forward Duncan Robinson (55) defends Orlando Magic guard Desmond Bane (3) during the second half of Game 2 of the first round of the NBA playoffs at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit on Wednesday, April 22, 2026.

"It’s a lot of guys, and a lot of bodies," Bickerstaff said of the plan for Bane. "It’s no one-on-one situations for him, it’s always one-on-fives. Obviously Ausar (Thompson) has taken on a lot of that responsibility, but a lot of guys have done a great job of executing what we’re trying to do from a game plan standpoint and not giving them anything easy.

"We understand that nothing for us works if we’re not defending at the level that we need to defend at. We’re excited about the opportunity to bring our defense here and see what it can do."

The Pistons hope Game 3 will be their first complete game of the series. The second half of Wednesday's win still was sloppy, despite the 30-3 run. They committed 10 additional turnovers, bringing their total to 22. And Jalen Duren, their All-Star center who has gotten off to a slow start, wasn't involved-enough in the offense, even as other players knocked down shots.

After finishing with eight points, seven rebounds and just four shot attempts in Game 1, Duren tallied 11 points, nine rebounds and four assists with 10 shot attempts Wednesday. Orlando's defensive game plan has been centered on isolating Duren away from the offense. Cade Cunningham has been terrific so far, averaging 33 points on 52.2% shooting through two games. The Pistons need someone else to get going as well.

Despite the Pistons performing below their standard, this is a close series. On Saturday, the Pistons have an opportunity to take command of it. Duren, and their continued efforts on defense, are the big focuses.

"They’re trying to crowd him and put a bunch of bodies on him to take him away," Bickerstaff said of Duren. "I think it was something that we’ve worked on ways to create opportunities, create space for him so that he can play the game, get his touches, most importantly. If he gets his touches we like what he’s capable of. We just need to make sure he gets those touches.

"We just need to make sure he’s getting his touches in the right spots."

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Contact Omari Sankofa II at osankofa@freepress.com. Follow him on X and/or Bluesky.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Pistons focused on all-out defensive effort in Game 3 vs Magic