DETROIT — With franchise legends Ben Wallace and Rick Mahorn looking on like proud family members, the Detroit Pistons delivered a punishing defensive performance to defeat the Orlando Magic 98-83, evening their first-round playoff series at one game each.
“I’m sure they appreciated it,” said Pistons forward Isaiah Stewart about the former players witnessing the victory.
Wallace, who earned four NBA Defensive Player of the Year awards, and Mahorn, a key member of the notorious Bad Boys teams, were familiar with the type of physical, grinding basketball Detroit displayed Wednesday evening.
Stewart contributed two blocked shots, including a crucial rejection that prevented Paolo Banchero from completing a dunk attempt.
“I’m willing to lay my body on the line to make those plays for the energy,” Stewart explained.
The top-seeded Pistons limited eighth-seeded Orlando to 33% field goal shooting while forcing season-low totals in both points and made field goals. Detroit generated 19 turnovers and swatted away 11 shots.
“When we play defense at the level we’re capable of, it triggers everything for us,” explained Pistons head coach J.B. Bickerstaff. “We can be an elite defensive team, a disruptive defense. It’s Pistons basketball. That’s what it looks like.
“We had one off night and it came at a bad time.”
During Game 1, Detroit struggled out of the gate in both halves while allowing Orlando to connect on nearly 50% of their field goal attempts. All five Magic starters reached double figures with at least 16 points in their 112-101 victory.
The roles reversed in Game 2, with Detroit taking the aggressive approach from the opening tip. The Pistons rejected seven shots during the first quarter alone, matching a franchise playoff record for blocks in a single period.
During the third quarter, Detroit exploded with a 30-3 scoring run while outpacing Orlando 38-16 for the period.
The Pistons cruised through the final quarter to secure their first playoff victory at Little Caesars Arena. The triumph snapped an NBA-record 11-game home playoff losing streak that stretched back to 2008, when the team still played at The Palace of Auburn Hills.
“Obviously, we’ve heard it,” said Tobias Harris, who contributed 16 points along with two blocks and two steals.
Orlando’s coaching staff grudgingly acknowledged Detroit’s defensive effort.
“They did a heck of a job of reaching, grabbing and holding,” said Magic coach Jamahl Mosley. “They protected that paint and our ability to get downhill.”
Jalen Suggs led Orlando with 19 points while Banchero added 18. The duo combined to shoot just 14-of-35 from the field.
“They met us at the rim a few times, and they brought the intensity on defense,” Banchero noted. “But we got good looks, and nobody really had a great night shooting the ball.”
