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DETROIT - Coming into the series, two of the biggest keys for the Orlando Magic were rebounding and free throw shooting.
In Game 5, with a chance to end the series, neither went their way.
The Magic gave up 16 offensive rebounds, including a critical one in the final minute that led to a clutch shot from Cade Cunningham with 31 seconds left, and they missed 14 free throws in a 116-109 defeat in Detroit.
A big reason Orlando hung around throughout was the play of Paolo Banchero. The 2022 No. 1 overall draft pick erupted for a playoff career-high 45 points. That was one point shy of the Magic postseason record, held by both Tracy McGrady and Dwight Howard.
Cunningham, another former top overall draft pick, also scored 45 on Wednesday night, making them the second set of players with dueling 45-point performances in NBA playoff history. The other was in 2020 when Donovan Mitchell (51 points) and Jamal Murray (50 points) did it in the Disney bubble.
“In the heat of the moment, you are not really thinking about it,” Banchero said. “You are just thinking about getting the win. But I’m sure one day we will look back and say that was a hell of a game. Me and him have been going at it since AAU days, so no surprise that happened.”
With Franz Wagner unable to go because of his right calf strain, the Magic needed an offensive lift elsewhere and they got that from Anthony Black, who recorded a playoff career-high 19 points off the bench.
“I just think I was on the break a little more today,” he said. “Playing to my strengths. Obviously, not having Franz out there gives me a good opportunity. Just stepping into that and trying to fill the void. Trying to get some rhythm going. But obviously we wanted to win.”
A contrast from what we saw during the first four games of this series, putting the ball in the basket wasn’t the issue for either team in Game 5. The Pistons shot 49 percent from the field and 36 percent from 3-point range, while the Magic shot 48 percent overall and 45 percent from downtown.
In the regular season, the Magic went 10-0 when shooting 45-plus percent from 3-point distance. They also shot over 45 percent from three in Game 3 of this series.
Although Detroit never trailed, the Magic were within striking distance throughout and only trailed by three before Cunningham sunk a mid-range jumper with 31 seconds remaining.
With the Magic up 3-2 in the series, Game 6 will be back in Orlando on Friday night. Tip-off time is TBD.