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Cade Cunningham delivered a 39-point playoff performance, but the Detroit Pistons still fell 112-101 to the Orlando Magic in Game 1 at Little Caesars Arena on Sunday night.
After the game, Cunningham pointed directly to Detroit’s slow start as the turning point. “Yeah, just I think we came out a little too I don’t know tight, lax, whatever the word is, maybe both for some of us, but just didn’t come out with the right energy,” he said.
The Pistons trailed early after allowing an 18-5 run in the first quarter. Cunningham acknowledged the impact of that opening stretch. “Gave them life early on and then you know we had to deal with that for the rest of the game. We were better in stance, but can’t dig a hole like that. Something we’ve said a lot this year.”
Detroit briefly fought back in the third quarter, tying the game at 65. But Orlando responded with timely scoring from Paolo Banchero and Desmond Bane to regain control.
Cunningham emphasized that the second-half execution also needed improvement. “Got to be better. Will be better. I’m still very excited about this series and where it’s going to push this team to.”
The Magic’s defensive strategy included packing the paint, limiting interior touches for Jalen Duren and forcing Detroit into perimeter reads. Cunningham explained the adjustment point clearly. “I got to do a better job of making sure that I’m getting clean pickups and hitting guys in their spot. Giving them clean passes so that they can make plays out of it.”
Detroit’s inability to consistently generate second-chance opportunities also stood out in Cunningham’s evaluation. “We found some good things. You know, just got to keep those things going. Defensively specifically, continuing to execute our coverages, rebounding the ball.”
He also pointed to rebounding as a decisive factor in the loss. “They beat us in the rebound game. So, those are things that we do better than everybody. And they did that well tonight.”
Despite the loss, Cunningham dismissed concerns about physical readiness or conditioning after returning from injury. “I felt great. I really felt great for sure,” he said, noting he only needed a brief rest late in the game.
Looking ahead to Game 2, Cunningham stressed consistency and adjustment over panic. “It’s a long series, though. There’s no confidence dropped from us. We know that team, they know us. So it’ll be a long, fun series.”
He also addressed Orlando’s Game 1 road win and whether it changes Detroit’s approach. “We know that team, they know us. So it’ll be a long, fun series.”
The Pistons now face a quick turnaround before Game 2 on Wednesday, where adjustments in spacing, rebounding, and early-game energy will be central to their response.
