Pistons rally from 24‑point deficit as Magic shoot 5% in fourth quarter

Detroit entered Game 6 facing elimination after losing the first five games of the series. A win would send the series to a seventh game, while a loss would end Detroit’s postseason run. Orlando led 62‑38 after the first 25 minutes, a 24‑point advantage. Pistons guard Cade Cunningham said the team refused to lay down, emphasizing resilience. The Magic’s Paolo Banchero summarized the second half as a big run by Detroit and a scoring standstill for Orlando.

Over the last 23 minutes, Detroit outscored Orlando 55‑17, turning a 24‑point deficit into a 14‑point lead. In the fourth quarter alone, Orlando made only one of twenty field‑goal attempts, a 5% shooting percentage that ranks as the lowest quarterly mark in NBA history since at least 20,238 games. Pistons guard Cade Cunningham scored 24 points in the second half, exceeding the Magic’s entire second‑half total of 19 points. Detroit shot 40% in the second half but outrebounded Orlando 35‑17, providing extra possessions and second‑chance opportunities. Orlando missed 23 consecutive field‑goal attempts during the stretch, the longest such streak in a playoff game since the play‑by‑play era began in 1996‑97.

The Pistons’ defensive intensity and rebounding edge compensated for modest shooting efficiency, allowing them to capitalize on Orlando’s offensive drought. Cunningham’s second‑half outburst demonstrated how a single player can offset team shooting struggles when supported by strong defense and glass work. Orlando’s historic shooting slump highlights the volatility of playoff performance and the importance of maintaining offensive flow under pressure. The victory forces a decisive Game 7, shifting the series back to Orlando for a potential clincher.