Orlando Magic vs Detroit Pistons
PREVIEW: The Detroit Pistons bring elite rim defense ranked first overall and a league-leading turnover-forcing ability to this matchup against Orlando. Meanwhile, the Magic rank sixth in defending three-point shooting while maintaining a top-two free throw rate at 0.312. Detroit looks to take a 2-1 series lead after winning 15 of their last 20 games , with Cade Cunningham averaging 33 points and 5.5 rebounds alongside Tobias Harris's 16.5 points per game. The Pistons trail 2-1 heading into Game 4, with Jalen Duren posting just 9.0 points and 8.3 rebounds through the series so far .
The eighth-seeded Magic responded with their own defensive intensity in Game 3, as Paolo Banchero and Desmond Bane each scored 25 points while Franz Wagner added 17. Orlando's defensive profile includes good rim protection ranked sixth overall and excellent defensive rebounding at the second-best rate in the league. The Magic have won seven of their last ten games , proving they can compete with the league's top seed despite their lower ranking. Orlando sits 5-1 in their last six home playoff games , giving them a legitimate homecourt advantage as this series returns to Florida.