NBA

Detroit 93, at Orlando 79

Friday, May 1, 2026 · Final · Round 1 Game 6 (Tied 3-3)

Detroit vs. Orlando

ORLANDO, Fla. (Interstat) — The Detroit Pistons, owners of the NBA’s best record at 62-25, visit the Orlando Magic on Friday night at Kia Center in a matchup that already has playoff implications.

Detroit (62-25) has won three of its last five meetings with Orlando (49-40), including a 116-109 victory Wednesday in Detroit. The Pistons hold a 4-3 edge in the season series entering Friday’s contest, but the Magic have taken two of three in Orlando.

The game features two of the league’s rising stars. Pistons guard Cade Cunningham has averaged 34.2 points, 5.2 rebounds and 6.6 assists in his last five games against Orlando. He posted 45 points, four rebounds and five assists in Wednesday’s win. Over his past eight games overall, Cunningham has recorded four double-doubles and is shooting 48% from the field.

Magic forward Paolo Banchero has matched Cunningham’s output in the head-to-head series. Banchero scored 45 points with nine rebounds and seven assists in Wednesday’s loss, and he has averaged 25.8 points, 8.8 rebounds and 5.4 assists in his last five games against Detroit. Over his past 10 games, Banchero has five 20-point performances and two double-doubles.

Detroit enters on a three-game winning streak, having beaten Orlando twice and Milwaukee once in that span. The Pistons have won six of their last seven, with the lone loss coming to the Magic on April 27 (94-88). Detroit’s balanced attack includes forward Tobias Harris, who had 23 points and eight rebounds Wednesday, and guard Ausar Thompson, who grabbed 15 rebounds in that game.

Orlando has split its last four games, losing to Philadelphia and Detroit while beating Chicago and Detroit. The Magic are 7-3 at home in their last 10 games at Kia Center. Guard Anthony Black added 19 points Wednesday, and guard Desmond Bane contributed 18.

Friday’s game is the second-to-last regular-season meeting between the teams. They will play again Sunday in Detroit. The Pistons have already clinched the top seed in the Eastern Conference, while the Magic are fighting for positioning in the play-in tournament or a direct playoff berth.

Both teams are expected to be at full strength. Tipoff is at 7 p.m. EDT.