Pistons Rally from 24 Down to Beat Magic, Force Game 7

The Detroit Pistons staged a stunning comeback from a 24-point deficit to defeat the Orlando Magic 93-79 on Friday night at Kia Center, forcing a decisive Game 7 in their Eastern Conference first-round playoff series.

Top-seeded Detroit trailed 62-38 early in the third quarter and 60-38 at halftime after Orlando dominated the second period with a 35-12 scoring edge, including 17 points from three-pointers and free throws while holding the Pistons to 2-for-11 shooting. The Magic appeared on the verge of becoming just the seventh No. 8 seed to eliminate a No. 1 seed in the first round. Instead, Orlando managed only 19 points in the second half, including an 11-point third quarter, and missed 23 consecutive field goals during Detroit's 35-point run that swung the game.

Cade Cunningham led the rally with 32 points, including 19 in the fourth quarter, to go with 10 rebounds and four steals. Tobias Harris added 22 points and 10 rebounds for the Pistons, who host Game 7 on Sunday. Paolo Banchero scored 17 points for Orlando, which went 0-2 in closeout opportunities this series and played without injured forward Franz Wagner.

"Detroit grit. That's what we've been talking about all year,"...