Cunningham's 45 Points Keep Pistons Alive, Force Game 6

*Cade Cunningham’s 45 points cut the Orlando Magic’s series lead to 3-2, forcing a Game 6 in Detroit.*

The Pistons faced elimination on Wednesday, needing a win to stay alive in the first‑round series. Cunningham delivered a franchise‑record 45 points, the most ever in a Pistons playoff game, and hit a decisive three‑pointer with 30 seconds left to seal a 112‑108 victory.

Orlando’s own star, Paolo Banchero, matched Cunningham with 45 points, but the Magic could not overcome the late surge. The game swung on Detroit’s early rebounding edge – 17 boards in the first quarter – and a 20‑point second‑quarter burst from Cunningham. A brief Orlando comeback narrowed the gap to three points late, but the Pistons held firm.

“We dug ourselves a big hole, it’s going to be a tough one to climb out of, but we handled business tonight,” Cunningham said after the win. The comment underscores Detroit’s early series struggles after a dominant regular season, where the team now faces a three‑game win streak to advance.

The Pistons’ effort came despite Cunningham’s recent recovery from a collapsed lung, and he logged nearly 44 minutes on the floor. Jalen Duren contributed a quick start with seven of the team’s first 11 points, while the Pistons maintained a double‑digit lead through the third quarter.

For Orlando, the win kept their play‑in tournament‑derived run alive, but the Magic must win on the road in Detroit on Sunday to force a decisive Game 7. Their path highlights the volatility of lower‑seed teams that have already forced multiple series to the brink.

The broader playoff picture shows the Toronto Raptors and Cleveland Cavaliers deadlocked at 2‑2, while the Los Angeles Lakers lead the Houston Rockets 3‑1. Both series could shift momentum in the coming days.

What to watch next: Detroit must sustain its offensive firepower and defensive rebounding in Game 6, while Orlando will look to exploit any fatigue in the Pistons’ backcourt. The outcome will determine whether the Pistons extend their postseason or see their season end in Detroit.