Magic thwart Pistons comeback, Eastern Conference 8th seed leads series 2-1
The Orlando Magic defeated the Detroit Pistons 113-105 in Game 3 of their NBA Eastern Conference First Round playoff series, unexpectedly taking a 2-1 series lead. Paolo Banchero and Desmond Bane each scored 25 points, as the Magic held off the Pistons' late-game rally to secure the win.
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- 📰 Published: April 26, 2026 at 06:27
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Central News Agency
(Central News Agency, Orlando, April 25, comprehensive foreign news report) The Orlando Magic held off a fourth-quarter comeback attempt by the Detroit Pistons in Game 3 of their NBA Eastern Conference First Round playoff series today, winning 113-105 and unexpectedly taking a 2-1 series lead.
According to reports from Agence France-Presse and The Associated Press, Paolo Banchero and Desmond Bane each scored 25 points, leading the "Eastern Conference 8th seed" Magic to defeat the Eastern Conference's top-seeded Pistons. This marks the 13th time since the NBA adopted the 16-team playoff format in 1984 that an 8th seed has taken a 2-1 lead over a 1st seed in the first round.
The game was tightly contested at times. The Magic once led by 17 points in the fourth quarter, but Cade Cunningham scored a game-high 27 points, leading the Pistons to tie the game at one point.
Although the Pistons briefly held a 1-point lead with three minutes remaining, they failed to score again, and the Magic secured the victory with a 9-0 run.
With less than 30 seconds left on the clock, a three-pointer by Banchero initially hit the back rim, then bounced high and accurately dropped through the net, sealing the win for his team.
Banchero also grabbed 12 rebounds and dished out 9 assists, while Bane tied the Magic's playoff franchise record with 7 three-pointers in a single game.
Banchero said after the game: "We know what we're capable of. We're not afraid of them."
The Magic were the lowest-seeded team in this season's Eastern Conference playoffs, narrowly advancing after a crucial play-in victory against the Charlotte Hornets.
The Pistons easily claimed the Eastern Conference's top spot with a 60-22 regular-season record, but now face the challenge of winning 3 out of a maximum of 4 remaining games to avoid elimination.
The two teams will play Game 4 in Orlando on April 27, U.S. time, before moving to Detroit. (Compiled by: Cai Jiamin) 1150426
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(Central News Agency, Orlando, April 25, comprehensive foreign news report) The Orlando Magic held off a fourth-quarter comeback attempt by the Detroit Pistons in Game 3 of their NBA Eastern Conference First Round playoff series today, winning 113-105 and unexpectedly taking a 2-1 series lead.
According to reports from Agence France-Presse and The Associated Press, Paolo Banchero and Desmond Bane each scored 25 points, leading the "Eastern Conference 8th seed" Magic to defeat the Eastern Conference's top-seeded Pistons. This marks the 13th time since the NBA adopted the 16-team playoff format in 1984 that an 8th seed has taken a 2-1 lead over a 1st seed in the first round.
The game was tightly contested at times. The Magic once led by 17 points in the fourth quarter, but Cade Cunningham scored a game-high 27 points, leading the Pistons to tie the game at one point.
Although the Pistons briefly held a 1-point lead with three minutes remaining, they failed to score again, and the Magic secured the victory with a 9-0 run.
With less than 30 seconds left on the clock, a three-pointer by Banchero initially hit the back rim, then bounced high and accurately dropped through the net, sealing the win for his team.
Banchero also grabbed 12 rebounds and dished out 9 assists, while Bane tied the Magic's playoff franchise record with 7 three-pointers in a single game.
Banchero said after the game: "We know what we're capable of. We're not afraid of them."
The Magic were the lowest-seeded team in this season's Eastern Conference playoffs, narrowly advancing after a crucial play-in victory against the Charlotte Hornets.
The Pistons easily claimed the Eastern Conference's top spot with a 60-22 regular-season record, but now face the challenge of winning 3 out of a maximum of 4 remaining games to avoid elimination.
The two teams will play Game 4 in Orlando on April 27, U.S. time, before moving to Detroit. (Compiled by: Cai Jiamin) 1150426
Choose to stand with facts, your every sponsorship is the power to protect press freedom.
Download the Central News Agency's "First-hand News" APP to stay updated with the latest news.
The text, images, and audio/video on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcasted, or publicly transmitted and utilized without authorization.