Pistons vs Magic Recap: Orl moves to 3-1 lead

The Orlando Magic survived a close Game 4 against the Detroit Pistons, winning 94-88 on Monday, April 27. Orlando now leads their first-round series 3-1 and sits on the edge of advancing. The game stayed tight throughout, with neither team pulling away until late in the fourth quarter. Detroit fought back strong in the closing moments, but Orlando's depth proved crucial. Desmond Bane led Orlando with 22 points, while Franz Wagner added 19 points despite dealing with calf soreness. Paolo Banchero chipped in 18 points and eight rebounds. For Detroit, Cade Cunningham poured in 25 points and six assists, but his offense couldn't quite match Orlando's balanced attack. Tobias Harris contributed 20 points for the Pistons. The Magic's ability to get contributions from multiple players made the difference down the stretch.

Cade Cunningham brought his MVP-level play to Game 4, scoring 25 points while dishing out six assists. The Pistons' superstar controlled the offense with patience and vision, creating chances for teammates throughout the game. However, Cunningham struggled with his shooting efficiency, making just 30 percent of his field goals. Meanwhile, Tobias Harris was on fire for Detroit, shooting 47 percent from the field and scoring 20 points. Jalen Duren anchored the paint with 12 points and eight rebounds, though he also shot efficiently at 62.5 percent. Despite these strong individual performances, Detroit couldn't maintain enough offensive momentum in the fourth quarter. Orlando's defense tightened when it mattered most, forcing the Pistons into difficult possessions. The Magic's ability to pressure Detroit's offense proved decisive in the final moments.

Orlando's winning formula in Game 4 came down to spreading the offense across multiple scorers. Franz Wagner showed toughness playing through calf soreness, hitting 19 points and grabbing five rebounds in just 24 minutes of action. His efficiency was remarkable, shooting 46.7 percent despite the injury concern. Wendell Carter Jr. was dominant on the boards with 11 rebounds and 12 points, controlling the paint defensively. Jamal Cain came off the bench to provide a huge spark, adding eight points and nine rebounds in limited minutes. This balanced attack meant Detroit couldn't focus their defense on just one player. While Cunningham was great, no single Pistons player could match the combined output of Orlando's roster. The Magic's resilience under pressure proved they belong in playoff contention. Now Detroit faces elimination in Game 5.