Detroit Pistons vs. Orlando Magic Series Preview: Key Players, H2H & Schedule

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Detroit Pistons vs. Orlando Magic Series Preview: Key Players, H2H & Schedule image

Photo by Peter Joneleit/Getty Images

By Joel Reyes

The top-seeded Detroit Pistons and the No. 8 seed Orlando Magic will lock horns in the first round of the 2026 NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs starting on Monday (PH time).

Photo by Peter Joneleit/Getty Images

Alta Sports breaks down this best-of-seven series, identifying the key players for both teams, their previous head-to-head matchups, as well as the schedule for their upcoming games.

Best-of-7 Schedule (PH time)

Game 1 – Orlando at Detroit (Monday, April 20, 6:30 a.m.)

Game 2 – Orlando at Detroit (Thursday, April 23, 7 a.m.)

Game 3 – Detroit at Orlando (Sunday, April 26, 1 a.m.)

Game 4 – Detroit at Orlando (Tuesday, April 28, TBD)

Game 5 – (if necessary) – Orlando at Detroit (Thursday, April 30, TBD)

Game 6 – (if necessary) – Detroit at Orlando (Saturday, May 2, TBD)

Game 7 – (if necessary) – Orlando at Detroit (Monday, May 4, TBD)

Head-to-head matchups in 2025-26 season

The regular season series between Detroit and Orlando finished with each team taking two victories apiece. The Pistons won the first meeting on Oct. 30 by a score of 135-116. The Magic responded by winning their next matchup on Nov. 29 by a score of 112-109.

Their third showdown went Detroit’s way, with the Pistons recording a 106-92 win on Mar. 2. Orlando salvaged a 2-2 series split after securing a 123-107 win on April 7.

Key players

Cade Cunningham took his game to another level in the 2025-26 season, averaging 23.9 points and 9.9 assists per game for Detroit. He loved playing against the Magic this campaign, averaging 32.7 points, 10.7 assists, and 8.3 rebounds through three meetings.

Photo by Peter Joneleit/Getty Images

Paolo Banchero led Orlando to another playoff appearance, averaging 22.2 points, 8.4 rebounds and 5.2 assists per game this season. He averaged 26.3 points and 9.0 boards in three meetings with Detroit this campaign.

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