ORLANDO — The Orlando Magic have an opportunity to close out the Detroit Pistons in Game 6 on Friday and advance to the Eastern Conference Semifinals.

It has been 16 years since the Magic won a playoff series, and now, they have a chance to do it in front of their home crowd.

"Yeah, I think it's a great opportunity, you know, in front of our home fans, to be able to do something special and unique," Magic coach Jamahl Mosley said ahead of Friday’s game. "But, you know, you've got to go out and play the game.

"And I think our guys understand that," he added. "They know how hard they have to play, they know what's at stake. But, again, our guys are locked in with a different level of focus, understanding exactly what we need to do."

The Magic fell in Game 5, 116-109, largely because of an inability to hit free throws, and Mosley made it clear that the team is addressing those struggles.

"Probably quite a bit," Mosley said about the level of focus on converting free throws. "Got some up yesterday as well. And I think just being able to stick with your routine, I think that's the biggest portion of it. You know, relax while you're up there, know the confidence that you have in putting the work in, and then stick with your routine."

In the Game 5 loss, both Paolo Banchero and Cade Cunningham each scored 45 points, which became career highs for both in their postseason tenures. For Mosley and the group, that level of play from Banchero is paramount to their success.

"I think he's done that, you know, on a number of occasions," Mosley said about Banchero. "His ability to, you know, put the team on his back, whether that be playmaking, scoring, whatever's needed. I mean, we talked about that after the All-Star break, taking on the best defenders, doing little things, whatever it took to help us get wins. 

"And that's what he'll continue to do, and that's what we need him to do."

Mosley also touched on the offensive impact of Jalen Suggs who, despite suffering from recent shooting struggles, has still impacted the decision making of Detroit’s defense.

"I think what Jalen does is, you know, he does stretch the defense out," Mosley said. "You know, they have to honor what he's doing. And then, you know, guys are flying at him. So, his ability to pump fake, put the ball on the floor, attack the basket, and now create more openings, I think that's a big portion of it. 

"Because of the way their team flies around, his ability to knock a shot down at any given time is very big for us."

While Mosley knows the Magic must stick to playing their game, he emphasized the power of having a contest of this magnitude on their home floor.

"I mean, that's the beauty of being at home," Mosley said. "And the pressure, we always talk about it being a privilege, the honor and the joy of the game. And we've been in these moments before, not necessarily a game six for a closeout, but you've been in a game, a one game versus Charlotte where you could go home. 

"And so, the ability to have that under your belt, knowing exactly how you need to play and how you need to embrace those emotions," Mosley added. "And that mentality is something that's been here with this group before."

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