Magic collapse in Game 6 vs. Pistons with NBA-record shooting futility

ORLANDO — The Orlando Magic made history on May 1 — but it wasn’t the situation the team or its long-suffering fans had hoped for, entering halftime with a seemingly insurmountable 22-point lead.

Orlando outscored the visiting Detroit Pistons 35-12 in the second quarter, a potential elimination blow to the Eastern Conference’s top seed. Since the league adopted a 16-team playoff format in 1984, only six No. 8 players in history have defeated No. 1 in a first-round game.

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Instead, the Magic crumbled under pressure that head coach Jamal Mosley acknowledged before the game and described it as a franchise, playing one of the worst offensive halves in the modern NBA playoffs.

Since forward Wagner was not injured, the Magic missed 23 consecutive shots and only scored 19 points after the break. On May 3 at 3:30 pm at Kia Center, Detroit overturned a nine-point fourth quarter deficit to force a decisive Game 7, 93-79, at Kia Center.

Orlando broke the playoff low of 23 points in a half set by the Utah Jazz in Game 3 of the 1998 NBA Finals and tied the score in the next three games. They didn’t put the ball in the basket in more than 14 minutes of game time (and 45 minutes of real time) against the league’s third stingiest defense.

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According to ESPN Research, the Magic’s 23 consecutive turnovers – ending with Paolo Banchero’s uncontested and largely trivial dunk at the rim – was the most since the league began tracking games digitally in 1997-98. On May 2, 2001, the Sacramento Kings missed 22 consecutive shots.

Pistons point guard Cade Cunningham matched the Magic’s 19 second-half points in the fourth quarter alone to complete the comeback.

“I think they played more desperate than we did, worked harder than we did,” said Magic guard Desmond Bane, who scored 17 points. “Whether it’s offensive rebounds or increased steal pressure, they take away our ability and disrupt our rhythm.”

The Magic have no reason not to despair, even though the 60-win Pistons are on the precipice of an embarrassing first-round elimination. Orlando hasn’t advanced to the second round in 16 years, exiting in the conference quarterfinals in each of its past seven appearances.

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Unfortunately, offensive woes plagued the Magic throughout a disappointing 2025-26 season, which was only salvaged with a 121-90 playoff victory over the Charlotte Hornets.

Orlando ranks in the middle of the pack overall (115.7 points per game), but is tied for third-worst in the league in three-point shooting percentage (34.3%). The Magic took 19 long-range shots in the second half but hit just two — a few counterattacks by Tristan DaSilva and Anthony Blake after a third-quarter timeout that seemed to stem the bleeding.

But Detroit went on a 12-1 run to open the fourth quarter, taking the lead on a pair of Tobias Harris free throws, and never looked back. While that run pales in comparison to the 31-0 NBA scoring streak set when the Toronto Raptors beat the Magic on March 29, it hurt far more.

Asked how often his team goes scoreless for long periods of time, Banchero responded: “I don’t know. I don’t really think about it. Right now, it’s all about Game 7.”

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This would be the Magic’s last chance to force the Pistons and avoid losing a 3-1 series lead. To do that, the team would need a second road win, which is historically impossible considering the team’s all-time playoff record of 23-54.

“This team always shows fight,” Mosley said. “There’s no other way to put it: It really sucks. You’re up 24 points and we give it up. I think the reality is, it’s definitely going to hurt and it’s going to sting right now, but you’ve got to be able to bounce back and you’ve given yourself a chance to get it done in Game 7.”

This article originally appeared in the Daytona Beach News-Journal: Orlando Magic lead 24 points, have chance to eliminate Detroit Pistons