Pistons overtake Magic in Game 7 for first series win in 18 years

It had been a long time. Too long, really. The Pistons finally gave their fans something to remember again.

Cade Cunningham had 32 points and 12 assists, Tobias Harris added 30 points, and the Pistons rolled past the visiting Magic 116-94 in Game 7 on Sunday to win their first playoff series in 18 years.

Cunningham averaged 32.4 points in the series for Detroit, which last advanced by beating Orlando in the 2008 postseason. The Pistons will face the winner of Game 7 between the Cavaliers and Raptors. Game 1 is set for Tuesday at Little Caesars Arena.

Detroit became the 15th team in NBA history to rally from a 3-1 deficit, and the second in as many nights after Philadelphia’s comeback against Boston.

The Pistons’ turnaround started late.

They trailed by 24 points in Game 6 before storming back, then carried that momentum home. Orlando managed just 113 points over the final six quarters of the series.

Cunningham did his part throughout. In Game 7, he had help.

Harris delivered the secondary scoring Detroit needed, including 17 points in the second quarter as the Pistons closed the half on a 9-2 run to take a 60-49 lead.

The push continued after the break. Detroit opened the third quarter on an 11-2 run to extend the margin to 20. Cunningham and Harris combined for nine points during that stretch.

Orlando never recovered.

Paolo Banchero scored 38 points for the Magic, but he had little support. Only one other Orlando player reached double figures through three quarters.

Detroit also got a lift from Jalen Duren, who recorded 15 points and 15 rebounds for his first double-double of the series after being outplayed by Wendell Carter Jr. in the first six games.

By the fourth quarter, it was over.

A buzzer-beating 3-pointer from Daniss Jenkins pushed the lead to 83-64 entering the final period, and the Magic never made a serious push.