The Detroit Pistons leaned on defense and physicality to even their first-round series, and Isaiah Stewart made it clear that identity starts with sacrifice.
“I’m willing to lay my body on the line to make those plays for the energy to shift,” Stewart said after Detroit’s 98-83 win over the Orlando Magic in Game 2.
The forward scored 10 points and anchored a defensive effort that held Orlando to 33% shooting and a season-low in points.
Detroit broke the game open in the third quarter, turning a 46-46 halftime tie into a rout with a 38-16 period.
“Oh yeah. No, that’s us. That’s what we’re talking about,” Stewart said. “If we just be who we are, who we’ve been all season long, we’ll be just fine.”
The Pistons’ defensive surge included multiple momentum plays at the rim, including blocks that energized the home crowd.
“It’s just having no fear,” Stewart said. “Slowing everything down, slowing down the play, having great timing and just tracking the ball.”
He emphasized the mentality required to challenge finishes against attacking guards and forwards.
“You got to be okay with putting your body on the line,” Stewart said. “I love it because when you meet someone at the rim, it says a lot.”
That interior presence helped Detroit control the paint and limit second-chance opportunities.
“Just energy. You feel the energy. You feel the shift,” Stewart said of the third-quarter run. “At that point, you just want to continue to play our kind of basketball.”
The Pistons also executed offensively, with Cade Cunningham recording 27 points and 11 assists while drawing defensive attention.
“For us, it uplifts us. It makes us go with him,” Stewart said. “For the other team, it’s just a problem for them.”
Detroit had five players score in double figures, including Tobias Harris with 16 points and balanced contributions across the rotation.
“Our bench squad, we truly believe we have the best bench unit in the league,” Stewart said. “I thought we did a great job of doing our job tonight.”
The team’s identity, according to Stewart, is not something that needs to be manufactured.
“That’s who I am. I don’t have to fake it. I’m cut from that cloth,” he said. “I enjoy carrying the identity for this team because that’s what I was drafted here for.”
Detroit’s defensive performance drew comparisons to past Pistons teams known for physicality and rim protection.
“I’ve been getting those blocks on dunks and I’ve been seeing Big Ben stand up and applaud,” Stewart said, referencing franchise legend Ben Wallace.
The Pistons responded to halftime adjustments with a sharper focus, avoiding mistakes that hurt them in Game 1.
“He don’t want to hear no more ‘my bads,’” Stewart said of head coach J.B. Bickerstaff’s message. “Just go out there and do your jobs to the best of your ability.”
Detroit now heads to Orlando with the series tied 1-1, carrying a defensive blueprint that aligns with its top-seeded status.
“I want to be in the war. I want to be in the battle,” Stewart said. “And do everything I can to help propel us forward.”
