NBA Notes: Magic, Paolo Banchero, Pistons, Cade Cunningham, Knicks

Magic

The Magic didn’t sneak up on anyone. They took it.

Orlando walked into Detroit as the No. 8 seed and left with a 112-101 win over the top-seeded Pistons in Game 1 on Sunday. No fluke feel. No late miracle. The Magic never trailed.

Paolo Banchero led the way with 23 points, nine rebounds and four assists, setting the tone for a team that looked comfortable from the jump.

Franz Wagner closed it. He scored 11 of his 19 points in the fourth quarter, answering every hint of a Pistons push.

Balance showed up everywhere else. Desmond Bane and Wendell Carter Jr. each added 17. Jalen Suggs chipped in 16.

So this was not a one-man effort.

The Magic haven’t been out of the first round since 2010. That didn’t matter Sunday night. They played like a team that expected to be here.

Game 2 is Wednesday in Detroit.

Pistons

The Pistons know the number and now it’s 11.

Detroit dropped its 11th straight home playoff game, a streak that dates back to 2008. This one hurt in a familiar way. A strong individual effort. Not enough around it.

Cade Cunningham did his part, pouring in a playoff career-high 39 points. Tobias Harris added 17.

The rest of the offense never showed up. That left too much pressure on one player, especially against a Magic team that stayed balanced and composed all night.

Detroit hasn’t advanced past the first round in 18 years. Game 1 did nothing to quiet that narrative. Game 2 offers another chance. And the Pistons will be the first to tell you that the pressure just got a little more intense.

Knicks

The Knicks may have avoided a concern before it became a problem.

OG Anunoby is listed as probable for Game 2 against the Hawks after dealing with a left ankle sprain, per Stefan Bondy of the New York Post.

Coach Mike Brown said Anunoby went through practice, a good sign after the two-way forward briefly exited Game 1 before returning.

He finished that game with 18 points and eight rebounds in 38 minutes.

Teammate Jordan Clarkson offered a lighter take on the moment.

“He came over to the bench and asked me if I could do (the spiritual healing) for his ankle,” Clarkson said. “Then he sat over there for a second, came back in the game and finished the game… sprinkle a little magic on him.”

The Knicks will take it however it comes. They need Anunoby on the floor.