The Orlando Magic pushed the Detroit Pistons to the brink in Game 5 but ultimately fell short, 116-109. The Magic now lead the series, 3-2 as it shifts back to Orlando for Game 6.

Without the services of Franz Wagner, who missed Game 5 with a right calf strain, more of the burden would fall on Paolo Banchero to lift his team to victory.

Conversely, Cade Cunningham would have a chance to keep his team’s season alive and make a stronger impact in Wagner’s absence after the latter made life difficult for him throughout the series.

Both delivered in storybook fashion, but Cunningham's Pistons prevailed.

From the tip, it was a slug fest of the former No.1 overall picks as Banchero and Cunningham began going blow for blow, with each notching 45 points by the final buzzer. The 45 points notched by both players marks a playoff career-high for both of them, and Cunningham’s 45 points marked a franchise playoff-record. 

Moreover, Wednesday’s Game 5 marked only the second time in which two former No. 1 picks each had 40-plus points against each other in the same game.

They also became just the second pair of opponents to each drop 45 points in league playoff history.

Banchero finished the evening shooting 17-31 from the field and 6-11 from 3-point range, while Cunningham went 13-23 from the field, 5-8 from the perimeter and hit all 14 of his free throw attempts.

The Magic were able to remain within striking distance for most of the game, and they even cut the deficit to three points with 01:09 remaining in the fourth quarter after Banchero’s sixth 3-pointer of the night, but ultimately, Orlando never led.

There were many reasons why the Magic could not gain an advantage, some of which were self-inflicted wounds.

When it came to securing rebounds, the Magic were outworked by the Pistons to the tune of 49-33. Detroit also doubled Orlando’s total on the offensive glass, 16-8, which led to it winning the battle of second chance points, 22-21.

The Magic also lost down low, as the Pistons outscored them, 50-36.

The Magic and the Pistons were two of the best teams in the regular season at getting to the free throw line, and that theme remains consistent during this series. However, Detroit made the most of its opportunities at the charity stripe on Wednesday, and Orlando fell short far too often.

The Pistons went to the line 35 times and made 28 of those attempts. Meanwhile the Magic got to the line 30 times, but only made 16 of their attempts. In a game decided by seven points, Orlando leaving 14 points on the table became a deciding factor in the end.

The Magic were able to force the Pistons into 17 turnovers for 22 points, but they did not do themselves any favors either.

Orlando committed 16 turnovers that Detroit turned into 19 points. 10 of the turnovers came in the second half, and five of them were committed in the fourth quarter.

Now, the Magic must return to Orlando and close out the Pistons on Friday in order to avoid a Game 7 in Detroit and advance to the Eastern Conference Semifinals.

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