Cade Cunningham poured in a career-playoff-high 45 points as the top-seeded Detroit Pistons staved off elimination with a 116-109 victory over the visiting Orlando Magic in Game 5 of their first-round series on Wednesday.
Tobias Harris supplied 23 points and eight assists for the Pistons, who trail 3-2 in the best-of-seven series. Game 6 will be played in Orlando on Friday.
Cunningham said, “(I just love) the opportunity. Not everybody is blessed with those types of opportunities to have pressure and to have things on the line like that. A lot of times I feel undeserving of how great of moments I get to be a part of. I’m just thankful for it and try to make the most out of it.”
Detroit’s Jalen Duren and Duncan Robinson had 12 points apiece. Ausar Thompson contributed six points, 15 rebounds, six assists and five steals.
The Magic’s Paolo Banchero countered Cunningham with a career-playoff-best 45 points to go along with nine rebounds and seven assists.
Banchero said of the duel with Cunningham, “In the moment, you’re not really thinking about it, you’re just thinking about getting a win. Sure, one day you’ll look back and be like, ‘That was a hell of a game.’ (Cunningham and I) have been going at it since AAU days, so no surprise there that (tonight’s scoring) happened.”
Anthony Black had 19 points for eighth-seeded Orlando, Desmond Bane tossed in 18 and Jalen Suggs added 10.
Magic forward Franz Wagner sat out due to a calf strain.
“Again, we’ll go back to it,” Orlando coach Jamahl Mosley said. “… This game came down to offensive rebounds, second-chance points and free throws.”
The Pistons were up by as much as 17 points in the first half. They were still on top by 13 late in the half, but Orlando closed it with a 7-0 run to cut its deficit to 66-60.
Bane and Suggs sank back-to-back 3-pointers early in the third quarter to pull the Magic within 71-69. Orlando had several chances to tie or take the lead but couldn’t knock down the shots. Harris then answered with a jumper, and Detroit gradually pulled away again in the period.
When Cunningham drilled a 3-pointer from the wing with 2:55 left in the quarter, Detroit was up by double digits again at 87-76. The advantage was 89-79 at the end of the quarter.
Pistons coach J.B. Bickerstaff said of Cunningham, “To know the moment, understand the moment, and then just do whatever was necessary to help us get that win, that’s why he’s special. That’s why he is who he is. (To) lead this team, lead the organization, lead us, lead the fans, that’s who he is. And he just has the ability to do that. It’s special.”
Detroit’s Javonte Green made a long 2-pointer and Duncan Robinson drained a 3-pointer early in the fourth to push the lead to 96-81. Banchero scored 10 points in just over two minutes midway through the fourth to prevent the Pistons from putting the game away.
Banchero’s corner 3-pointer with 3:24 left made it 110-104. Cunningham hit a step-back jumper that was answered by a Wendell Carter Jr. dunk.
Banchero made another long ball to cut Detroit’s lead to three. Cunningham then hit a midrange shot with 32 seconds left.
Following an Orlando turnover, Harris closed it out by making two free throws.
–Field Level Media
