Jamal Cain's one-handed slam helped the Orlando Magic secure a 94-88 playoff victory over the Detroit Pistons, giving them a 3-1 series lead. Cain contributed eight points and nine rebounds in the game.
April 28 (UPI) -- Jamal Cain tapped a toe into the paint, pulled the ball back in his right hand and detonated, throwing a vicious dunk on top of Jalen Duren and helping the Orlando Magic gain momentum in another playoff victory over the 60-win Detroit Pistons.
Cain crushed the ball through the rim with 8:34 remaining in the 94-88 triumph Tuesday in Orlando, Fla. The Magic never trailed in the fourth quarter of the victory, which gave them a 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven game first-round series.
"I think we came in with the right mindset," Cain, who totaled eight points and nine rebounds, told reporters.
Cain took possession deep in Magic territory with about 8:40 remaining. He dribbled up the left flank, drawing defender Cade Cunningham. He then beat the Pistons guard past half court and dribbled toward the paint, which drew the defense of Duren. The 6-foot-10 Pistons center got in front of Cain and put his arms in the air, but was out-leaped.
Cain finished the play by dunking the ball, with his momentum pushing Duren backwards and onto the ground. The dunk gave the Magic an 80-76 edge. The Pistons rallied to tie the score about three minutes later, but were outscored 9-3 over the final five minutes.
Magic guard Desmond Bane totaled 22 points in the victory. Forwards Franz Wagner and Paolo Banchero chipped in 19 and 18 points, respectively. Center Wendell Carter Jr. totaled 12 points, 11 rebounds, four assists and two blocks in the win.
The Orlando Magic won the playoff game against the Detroit Pistons with a score of 94-88.
Jamal Cain scored eight points and grabbed nine rebounds in the playoff victory over the Pistons.
The Orlando Magic now lead the series 3-1 in the best-of-seven first-round playoff matchup against the Detroit Pistons.
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Cunningham scored a game-high 25 points, with nine rebounds and six assists for the Pistons. Duren logged 12 points, eight rebounds and three assists.
Neither team shot well, with the Pistons holding a 37.8% to 32.6% edge in field goal percentage. The Magic and Pistons combined to make just 15 of 65 shots (23%) from 3-point range.
The Magic logged 15 assists against 10 turnovers, compared to the Pistons' 18 to 20 ratio. They held a 23-11 advantage in points off turnovers.
"Everything was self-inflicted," Duren said. "We've got to be better. We will. i have faith in the guys in this locker room. I have faith in the coaching staff. I know what type of team we are."
The No. 8 Magic (3-1) will take on the top-seeded Pistons (1-3) in Game 5 at 7 p.m. EDT Wednesday in Detroit. Game 6, if necessary, will be Friday in Orlando. Game 7, if necessary, will be Sunday in Detroit.
"The job is not finished," Cain said. "There is nothing to be happy about. They can still come back so we are not getting too happy about it. Going to stay down and try and win another one."
The winner of the Pistons-Magic series will meet the No. 4 Cleveland Cavaliers or No. 5 Toronto Raptors in an Eastern Conference semifinals series. The Cavaliers and Raptors are tied 2-2 in their first-round series.