Photo: Mike Watters ~ Imagn Images
ORLANDO, Fla. ~ The Detroit Pistons walked off the floor Monday night knowing how thin the margin had become. A 94–88 loss to the Orlando Magic in Game 4 pushed Detroit to the brink of elimination, as the Magic leaned on physical defense and timely shot‑making to take a commanding 3–1 series lead. The Pistons were in striking distance late, but the final minutes told a familiar story, missed chances, long rebounds and a few shots that just wouldn’t fall.
Guard Cade Cunningham once again carried the offensive load, finishing with a game‑high 25 points, nine rebounds and six assists, though the efficiency wasn’t there. Cunningham shot 7 of 23 from the field and committed eight turnovers, often forced into tough decisions as Orlando sent extra attention his way. Forward Tobias Harris added 20 points on 8‑of‑17 shooting, giving Detroit much‑needed stability, but consistent scoring beyond those two remained elusive.
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(CONTINUED) Orlando didn’t light up the scoreboard, but it controlled the details. Guard Desmond Bane led the Magic with 22 points and delivered the dagger, a banked‑in 3‑pointer with under 20 seconds remaining that sucked the air out of the building. Center Wendell Carter Jr. was a force inside, grabbing 11 rebounds, including five offensive boards, helping Orlando win the possession battle in a game decided by six points. Forward Paolo Banchero chipped in 18 points and eight rebounds, even while struggling from the field.
Detroit had its chances. The Pistons trailed by just three with under two minutes to go, but empty possessions piled up late, including missed perimeter looks and one final Cunningham step‑back 3 that rimmed out. The Pistons were held to 17 third‑quarter points, a quiet stretch that ultimately made the difference. Now down 3–1, Detroit heads home facing elimination, needing its cleanest, sharpest performance of the season to keep a promising but pressured playoff run alive.
