DETROIT — The Orlando Magic put on an impressive display in their final play-in game to secure their spot in a first-round series against the 1-seed Detroit Pistons.
Arguably the big question for the Magic coming into the series is if they can replicate a performance that saw them lead nearly wire-to-wire against the Charlotte Hornets away from their home arena.
Including play-in games, the Magic are 6-1 at home in the postseason under coach Jamahl Mosley. Away from Kia Center, they moved to a meager 0-8 under Mosley after losing to the Philadelphia 76ers in their first play-in game.
“If we want to get over the hump, it’s going to take winning on the road,” Magic forward Paolo Banchero said. “We’ve got to be extra focused and together to get that done.”
The Pistons struggled at Little Caesars Arena in the postseason last year, going 0-3 on their home court in a series defeat to the New York Knicks. But this is not the same Detroit squad.
During the regular season, the Pistons finished with a 31-9 home record, the best mark in the Eastern Conference and third overall.
The Magic were one of the few teams to win a game in Detroit this season, however the lights are going to be brighter this time around and the Pistons are hungry to defend their home court.
“I think it’s going to be crazy,” Pistons center Jalen Duren said Friday. “The city deserves everything that we’re going to bring to them. They’ve been behind us all year, supporting us, I’m excited. I can’t wait.”
Detroit’s numbers don’t actually get considerably better when they’re playing at LCA. Outside of a slightly lower 28-13 record on the road, the Pistons have been one of the most consistent teams in the NBA this season, regardless of location as their play style travels well.
But even if the difference isn’t notable in terms of statistics, the Pistons players and coaches feel the impact the home crowd brings.
Last season’s playoff series brought an energy to LCA that’d largely been missing since the team made the move back to downtown Detroit in 2017. Coach J.B. Bickerstaff still thinks about the moments in the playoffs last season he couldn’t speak with his players because it was so loud.
The Pistons are hoping — and just about expecting — the atmosphere at LCA on Sunday to be even greater than last season. They’re also warning fans that they intend for this postseason run to last for a while.
“To everybody that’s watching this, make sure y’all come on out, show some love, bring some energy, drink your hot tea before,” guard Cade Cunningham said. “Make sure you ready.”
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