Cade Cunningham Shines, But Pistons Fall to Magic in Game 3

The Detroit Pistons got another star-level performance from Cade Cunningham on Saturday, but it wasn’t enough to overcome a balanced Orlando Magic attack as Detroit fell 113-105 in Game 3 of their first-round playoff series.

With the loss, the Pistons now trail the series 2-1 heading into a crucial Game 4.

Cunningham did everything he could to keep Detroit within striking distance, finishing with 27 points, 9 assists, and 5 rebounds in 41 minutes. The All-Star guard attacked throughout the night, creating offense for himself and teammates while carrying much of the Pistons’ playmaking load.

Veteran forward Tobias Harris delivered one of his best performances of the postseason, adding 23 points on efficient shooting and helping Detroit stay competitive through stretches where the offense stalled.

Still, the Pistons were unable to overcome key mistakes and Orlando’s depth.

Second Quarter Shifted Momentum

After a tightly contested first quarter ended tied at 26, Orlando used a strong second quarter to take control. The Magic outscored Detroit 35-28 in the period and never fully gave the lead back.

Detroit fought throughout the second half, but every push was met with timely responses from Orlando.

Turnovers Cost Detroit

One of the biggest storylines was ball security.

The Pistons committed 16 turnovers, many of which turned into momentum-changing opportunities for the Magic. Cunningham had 9 turnovers, a reflection of both Orlando’s defensive pressure and how much responsibility he carries in Detroit’s offense.

When defenses trap and load up in the playoffs, secondary creators must step forward. That remains one of the biggest questions for Detroit entering Game 4.

Magic Balanced Across the Board

Unlike Detroit’s top-heavy scoring, Orlando got production from multiple players:

Paolo Banchero: 25 points

Franz Wagner: 17 points

Jalen Suggs: 15 points

Wendell Carter Jr.: 14 points

Desmond Bane: 25 points

That balance allowed the Magic to survive Detroit’s runs and maintain control late.

Game 4 Now Becomes Critical

For Detroit, Game 4 is now the biggest game of the season.

A win would tie the series 2-2 and restore home-court pressure back on Orlando. A loss would put the Pistons on the brink of elimination.

The encouraging sign? Cade Cunningham continues to prove he belongs on the playoff stage.

Now Detroit needs more help around him.