Cade Cunningham posted 30 points and 10 assists to guide the Detroit Pistons past the Orlando Magic 135-116 on Wednesday night at Little Caesars Arena.
Detroit (3-2) overcame a sluggish opening quarter and outscored Orlando 70-52 after halftime to secure its third win in five games. Cunningham also added six rebounds, three steals, and three blocks in one of his most complete performances of the young season.
The Pistons trailed for most of the first half before Duncan Robinson’s three-pointer tied the game at 62-62 late in the second quarter. Tobias Harris scored 13 points in the opening half to give Detroit a 65-64 advantage at the break.
Harris finished with 23 points on 8-for-13 shooting, while Jalen Duren contributed 21 points and 12 rebounds. Ausar Thompson added 12 points, 11 boards, and six assists as Detroit shot 49.5% from the field and made 88% of its free throws.
Orlando (1-4) dropped its fourth consecutive game despite 24 points and 11 rebounds from Paolo Banchero. Franz Wagner added 22 points, but the Magic struggled at the foul line, converting only 28 of 40 attempts and missing key chances during their third-quarter collapse.
Detroit used a 14-1 run midway through the third quarter to open a double-digit lead and never looked back. The Pistons stretched the margin to 20 early in the fourth, allowing head coach Monty Williams to rest his starters down the stretch.
Duncan Robinson contributed 15 points off the bench, hitting four of his six attempts from long range. Paul Reed and Ronald Holland II added valuable minutes in the second half as Detroit’s reserves outscored Orlando’s 43-34.
Desmond Bane had 12 points and five rebounds for Orlando, while Jalen Suggs chipped in eight points and five assists. The Magic’s offensive rhythm faltered after halftime as they made just 45.8% of their field goals overall.
The Pistons improved to 2-1 at home and will travel next to Mexico City to face the Dallas Mavericks on Saturday. The Magic continue their road trip Thursday against the Charlotte Hornets.
