It was obvious from the start that the Pistons brought a different defensive attitude to Game 2, as they had seven blocks in the first quarter.
“When we defend at the level we’re capable of, it triggers everything for us,” Pistons coach J.B. Bickerstaff said.
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In the third quarter, the Pistons put it all together and looked like the No. 1 seed. Detroit went on a 30-3 run to tie the game at halftime. It wasn’t just one guy taking over, but a whole team effort: Tobias Harris, Jalen Duren, Duncan Robinson and Isaiah Stewart each scored six points in the game, while Cade Cunningham and O’Saale Thompson each had five. Those six players combined to shoot 13-for-18 from the field during that stretch.
Since then, the Pistons won 98-83, and the first-round series tied with the Magic at 1-1. Game three is Saturday in Orlando.
With this home victory, the Pistons ended their 11-game losing streak at home in the playoffs dating back to 2008.
Cunningham was in his prime, leading the Detroit Pistons with 27 points, 11 assists and six rebounds, but he also showed off some nasty moves.
Harris added 16 points and 11 rebounds for Detroit.
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Most important to Detroit, however, was the performance of its elite defense, which held the Magic to just 32.5 percent shooting from the field. Franz Wagner was 4-for-11 from the field, Desmond Bane was 2-for-11 from the field, and Wendell Carter Jr. and Anthony Blake were both 1-for-6 from the field.
Jalen Suggs scored a Magic-high 19 points on 7-for-18 shooting, and Paul Banchero also scored 18 points.
