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Detroit Pistons outplayed by Magic in Game 1 loss; Cade Cunningham scores 39
TL;DR
The Detroit Pistons lost to the Orlando Magic 112-101 in Game 1, despite Cade Cunningham scoring 39 points. The Pistons struggled with communication and intensity throughout the game.
Key points
- Pistons lost 112-101 to the Magic in Game 1
- Cade Cunningham scored 39 points for Detroit
- Pistons struggled with communication and intensity
- Orlando had played a crucial game just 48 hours earlier
- Tobias Harris was the only other player in double figures
Detroit PistonsOrlando MagicCade CunninghamTobias Harris
Detroit — The Detroit Pistons trailed the Orlando Magic 96-90 with 6:50 remaining in the fourth quarter when Cade Cunningham was fouled by Desmond Bane during a lay-up attempt. Cunningham went to the free-throw line and successfully made both shots, narrowing the Pistons' deficit to four points (96-92) as fans inside Little Caesars Arena chanted "MVP."
Initially, it appeared that the Pistons were ready to make a late-game rally. However, on Orlando's next possession, Tristan Da Silva made a 3-point shot, which silenced the crowd. The series of events illustrated how the Pistons suffered a 112-101 Game 1 loss to the Magic on Sunday.
Cunningham and Tobias Harris were the only two players who provided consistent offense for the Pistons. Cunningham led the way with 39 points on 12 of 26 shooting, to go along with five rebounds and four assists. Harris added 17 points on 5 of 14 shooting. They were the only two players who scored in double figures.
The Pistons seemed disconnected throughout the entire night. Communication on the offensive end was lacking, and they allowed several wide-open shots on the defensive end. Detroit was two steps behind Orlando for the entire night, which could also have been due to the contrasting situations of the two teams.
One team had not played since their season finale a week ago, while the other was energized from a crucial do-or-die contest just 48 hours earlier during the NBA Play-In Tournament. Although the Pistons had competitive practices over the previous four days, they struggled to match the intensity of in-game action, particularly during the opening round of the NBA Playoffs.
The Magic took an early lead against the Pistons, going up by 13 points, thanks in part to Jalen Suggs (11 points), who began the game by shooting 3 of 4 from the field and scoring eight early points. However, the Pistons managed to bounce back with the help of their bench, narrowing the double-digit deficit to 55-51 by halftime. However, each time the Pistons closed the gap, the Magic found a way to respond and stifle their momentum.
Q&A
What was Cade Cunningham's performance in Game 1 against the Magic?
Cade Cunningham scored 39 points, along with five rebounds and four assists, leading the Pistons in their loss.
Why did the Detroit Pistons lose to the Orlando Magic in Game 1?
The Pistons lost due to poor communication, lack of intensity, and allowing wide-open shots, ultimately trailing behind the Magic throughout the game.
How did the Pistons' preparation affect their performance in Game 1?
The Pistons struggled to match the intensity of in-game action after a week without a game, while the Magic were energized from a recent do-or-die contest.
