The Game 6 matchup between the Orlando Magic and Detroit Pistons looked all but over to begin the third quarter. The Magic held a 22-point lead to begin the second half, thanks to the fans’ loudness that filled Kia Center.
But the Detroit Pistons did not give up.
Detroit was able to get the Magic’s lead down to 10 points in less than six minutes into the second half. Orlando felt the pressure Detroit was creating, and it ultimately led to the Magic’s decline.
Orlando now holds the NBA Playoffs record for the most consecutive missed field goals (23) in a postseason game. The drought began following an Anthony Black three-pointer to increase the Magic’s lead to 16 points with 4:14 left in the third.
Miss after miss would lead to the Magic not making another field goal until Paolo Banchero hit a driving dunk with 2:24 left in the fourth quarter. Just under 13 minutes of game time separated the time between makes. However, the field goal was made before it was too late.
Magic Lose Game 6 in Devastating Fashion
Orlando was just one half away from knocking off the No. 1 seed in the East, the Detroit Pistons. It was all smiles and laughs, until it wasn’t.
The 24-point lead that the Magic held at halftime was all but gone, and completely flipped to end the game. The Pistons would end up winning Game 6, 93-79, and push the series to a deciding Game 7 that takes place in Detroit on Sunday.
You can’t help but think that this drought will carry into Game 7. The hopes that the Magic would pull off the first 1-seed vs. 8-seed upset since the 2023 Miami Heat are looking less likely. However, it is still possible.
The Magic were able to knock off the Pistons at home in Game 1. All five Orlando starters scored 16 or more points, leading to a 112-100 win over the Pistons.
What Led to the Magic’s Second Half Fall Off?
It was looking great for the Magic heading into the halftime intermission. Desmond Bane (15 points) and Paolo Banchero (10 points) led the way for Orlando in the first two quarters, combining for 25 in the first 24 minutes.
Orlando would combine to shoot 56.1% in the first half while bringing together an overall clean first 24 minutes. Meanwhile, the Pistons would shoot just 40% while converting six turnovers.
The script would completely flip coming out of the locker room. Along with the 23-straight missed shots, the Magic shot just 10.8% (4-for-37) from the field, 11.1% (2-for-18) from three, and scored just 19 total points in the second half.
Detroit played patiently while continuing to chip away at the lead. Their offensive statistics didn’t show anything special, shooting 40% (16-for-40) from the field and 33.3% (5-for-15) from three.
The Pistons chipped away at the lead at the free-throw stripe (18-for-21 FTM).
Detroit’s defense was the true hero in the second-half comeback. Cade Cunningham had four steals, while Ausar Thompson (4) and Paul Reed (3) combined for seven blocks.
It was far from perfect. However, the Detroit Pistons, with their backs against the wall, pulled off a second-half comeback that will haunt Magic fans forever.
The series will be determined by a Game 7 on Sunday.
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