
Orlando
(+9)

Detroit
(-9)
Highlights
Preview
DETROIT (Interstat) — The Detroit Pistons look to even their first-round playoff series when they host the Orlando Magic in Game 2 on Wednesday night at Little Caesars Arena. The top-seeded Pistons, who finished the regular season 60-23, dropped home-court advantage with a 112-101 loss in Sunday’s series opener. The eighth-seeded Magic (47-38) stole the win behind a balanced attack, handing Detroit just its 10th home loss of the season. All-Star guard Cade Cunningham led all scorers with 39 points in the loss for Detroit, but Orlando’s defensive pressure limited his supporting cast. The Magic, winners of eight of their last 11 games, received significant contributions from Paolo Banchero (23 points, nine rebounds), Franz Wagner (19 points) and Wendell Carter Jr. (17 points, six rebounds). Banchero enters Game 2 in strong form, averaging 19.7 points, 8.2 rebounds and 5.2 assists over his last 10 contests. He torched the Pistons for 31 points in a regular-season meeting on April 6. The Pistons, who dominated the regular-season series 3-2, must find an answer for Orlando’s physical defense and transition offense. Detroit’s depth, a strength all season, was outscored by Orlando’s bench 34-18 in Game 1. According to National Statistical, the Pistons are projected to win 118-106 and are favored by 9 points. The over/under is set at 215.5. The series shifts to Orlando for Games 3 and 4 on Saturday and Monday, regardless of Wednesday’s outcome.