Pistons, Cade Cunningham look like top seed this time, blast Magic

The Pistons looked every bit the top seed in Game 2.

Detroit used a massive third quarter to pull away from the Magic and cruise to a 98-83 home win, evening the first-round series at one game apiece as it shifts to Orlando.

It turned quickly.

After a tight first half, the Pistons opened the third on a 30-3 run and never looked back. They outscored the Magic 38-16 in the quarter, forced seven turnovers and held Orlando to 5-of-17 shooting.

Cade Cunningham set the tone, finishing with 27 points and 11 assists while leading six players in double figures. Tobias Harris added 16 points and 11 rebounds as Detroit controlled the game on both ends.

For Orlando, it was a struggle from the start.

The Magic shot just 33 percent from the field, their worst mark of the season, and never recovered after the third-quarter surge.

Still, the series feels far from over.

As Josh Robbins of The Athletic noted, Orlando heads home with a chance to reset. The Magic have been strong in their own building in recent postseasons and now get Games 3 and 4 on their floor.

Detroit, though, made a statement.

As The Athletic’s Hunter Patterson wrote, the third-quarter blitz was a reminder of why the Pistons earned the No. 1 seed, combining efficient offense with aggressive, connected defense that overwhelmed Orlando.

And then there was Cunningham. David Aldridge of The Athletic pointed to the All-Star guard’s command of the game, noting how he took over after halftime with his scoring and playmaking, dictating the pace and creating quality looks throughout the run.

Game 3 is Saturday. The Pistons have momentum. The Magic have home court. Now it gets interesting.