5/1/26 7:00PM RD1 GM6 Pistons 2-3 @ Magic 3-2

[Tigeraholic1]

Kia Center - Orlando, FL

Watch: Prime

Edited Thursday at 11:32 AM by Tigeraholic1

[Deleterious]

Be interesting to see if Franz plays or not.  Orlando really missed him in game 5.  They missed him as another shot creator and more importantly, as a defender on Cade.

Franz has the most possessions as the primary defender on Cade at 86.  Cade's EFG% in those possessions is just 39% with 6 turnovers.

[Deleterious]

Here are some summer cap projections.  There are basically only 3 teams with enough cap space to offer Duren a max deal.  One of them is LA and their space depends on Lebron leaving.

Updated 2026 Cap Space and Spending Power Projections

A sign and trade is always a possibility.  But that requires Duren finding a team he likes and that team having something Detroit wants in a trade.  

[Tigeraholic1]

 

[Shinzaki]

Worked on game 5...

[Deleterious]

1 hour ago, Tigeraholic1 said:

 

They really are careful with those calf injuries.

Harris and Huerter questionable for Detroit.

[monkeytargets39]

MUST WIN

MUST WIN

MUST WIN

[Deleterious]

 

[DTroppens]

Now its only two games. How many times did the Pistons win back-to-back games this season? Do it again. 🙂

Let's have Pistons' fan fun weekend.

[Deleterious]

His 16% shooting from three could be important tonight.

 

[Betrayer]

Orlando will very likely blitz and double Cade to prevent him from getting into rhythm and create turnovers. They'll also run some zone when Duncan isn't in the game.

What changes will JB make?

• Stew is the best matchup for Paolo - play him some minutes at the 4 like we did all season and inexplicably stopped doing when we need it most in the playoffs.
• Stop playing the Daniss + Lavert lineup that yields no points and too many mistakes.
• Let Duncan face guard Bane (as Bane is doing to him) instead of Ausar. Put Ausar on Suggs so he can roam without giving Bane open threes.
• Building on the Stew thing, stop doubling Paolo and just play him straight up. Orlando shot 21 wide open threes in Game 5 and made 10 of them. 

Or will he just forget all this strategy stuff and tell them to "play hard"?

[buddha]

22 minutes ago, Betrayer said:

Orlando will very likely blitz and double Cade to prevent him from getting into rhythm and create turnovers. They'll also run some zone when Duncan isn't in the game.

What changes will JB make?

• Stew is the best matchup for Paolo - play him some minutes at the 4 like we did all season and inexplicably stopped doing when we need it most in the playoffs.
• Stop playing the Daniss + Lavert lineup that yields no points and too many mistakes.
• Let Duncan face guard Bane (as Bane is doing to him) instead of Ausar. Put Ausar on Suggs so he can roam without giving Bane open threes.
• Building on the Stew thing, stop doubling Paolo and just play him straight up. Orlando shot 21 wide open threes in Game 5 and made 10 of them. 

Or will he just forget all this strategy stuff and tell them to "play hard"?

if stew isnt on the floor, double off suggs or carter.  they cant let paolo beat them like that again.

put reed out there to beat the crap out of him.

[Betrayer]

1 hour ago, buddha said:

if stew isnt on the floor, double off suggs or carter.  they cant let paolo beat them like that again.

put reed out there to beat the crap out of him.

Totally disagree on doubling. Don't give up open threes to a team at home where role players play better.

Paulo has been bad on drives all series and he was the leagues worst jump shooter all season long. The only reason he had 45 was because he was 6 of 11 from three out of the blue. During the season Paulo had exactly 1 game with 5 threes made and one with 4. That's it. He shoots 30% from deep. Paulo taking 30 shots is a good thing for us as long as we simply keep a body in front of him.

Let the most inefficient jump shooter in the league take 2s and don't double him to give shooters open looks. That's how you loose the 3 point math game. Orlando was only in that game because of three point shooting and mostly because we gave up 21 wide open threes (a crazy number) because we collapsed in the paint. They hit 10 of those open threes. Stay home on shooters and play it straight.

This is just one more reason (as if we needed another) to play Stew more minutes.

[Hongbit]

I’ve got a bad, bad feeling this is the  night where Desmond Bane catches fire and goes for 35+ and shoots 70% from 3.   That won’t be enough on its own but it means Banchero can just be good instead of Superman for the Magic to win.  

[Sports_Freak]

Just dont fall behind early again and play catchup all night long. Survive the first 6 minutes, tied or ahead and I like our chances. Just....win. And stop turning the ball over....just stop it.

[GalagaGuy]

Sure would be nice if the Pistons came out and did their best Knicks impression tonight.  

[Deleterious]

Not real confident in someone else stepping up. Probably need another 40+ from Cade to get the win. 

[Betrayer]

Cade's not getting 40+ unless Mosley is an idiot.

They'll trap the ball and force him to give it up. Then they'll have one guy glued to Duncan and two more in the paint to take away the drive. They'll force Tobias, Jenkins, Lavert, and Green to hit shots on the road and live with the consequences.

We can overcome that by winning the possession battle to get out in transition and get second chance points, but that would require JB to put in lineups that maximize disruption and he seems to prefer to go small and try to be a different team than we've been all year long.

[Betrayer]

Nice start. Turnovers and a foul on Cade. 

[Betrayer]

Already feels like Orlando wants it more. 

[Deleterious]

Duren is a turnover machine

[Betrayer]

Why does Duren think he should ever dribble against this team?

[Betrayer]

I’m ready for Stew to come in now. 

[Deleterious]

Stewart comes in right as Banchero sits down

[Betrayer]

1 minute ago, Deleterious said:

Stewart comes in right as Banchero sits down

Moron coach.