With their backs against the wall, the Detroit Pistons took down the Orlando Magic 116-109 in Game 5 on Wednesday to stay alive and cut the series deficit to 3-2.
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Wednesday’s matchup was a gritty, physical battle that saw both teams attempt plenty of free throws.
Neither team was hot from beyond the arc in the first quarter, but the Pistons dominated on the inside. They put up 24 paint points in the first 12 minutes.
The Magic weren’t ice cold, but they struggled to keep pace and faced a 12-point deficit after the opening frame.
Momentum shifted in the second quarter as the Magic took a different approach on offense. Paolo Banchero and the Orlando Magic ran a perimeter-oriented offense that sank six of it’s 10 second-quarter three-point attempts. By halftime, Detroit’s lead had been cut to six.
Orlando kept up their hot shooting in the third quarter to cut the lead to just two points, but Detroit’s elite defense recovered late in the third as the Pistons’ lead began to grow again.
After three quarter, Detroit was in front 89-79.
As the Pistons looked to run away in the final frame, Banchero had other plans. He continued to pile on the points in every way possible. Despite a huge rebounding disadvantage, Orlando was only down by seven with just over five minutes to play.
In clutch time, hustle plays and rebounding allowed the Pistons to remain in front. Cade Cunningham and Banchero exchanged huge buckets down the stretch, but Detroit’s advantage was enough to hold on for the win.
Cunningham set a new franchise single-game playoff high in scoring with 45 points as well as four rebounds and five assists.
For the Magic, Banchero also had a terrific night with 45 points, nine rebounds and seven assists.
James Parker is a sports writer for Ball Exclusives, follow him on X @TheJames_Parker
