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Tobias Harris pointed directly at execution after the Detroit Pistons fell 94-88 to the Orlando Magic in Game 4, a result that pushed the East’s top seed to the edge of elimination.
“In all of our losses, those are what we haven’t been able to be at our best at,” Harris said. “So I just think that if we start just there with those two, those are probably the most important.”
Detroit committed 20 turnovers, leading to 23 points for Orlando, which offset its 32.6% shooting from the field and allowed the home team to control the possession battle.
“We got to take care of the basketball. We got to win the rebounding battle and we just got to be in the moment of what this is,” Harris said. “And this is playoff basketball. We got to be more ready to just go out there and scrap like we need it.”
The veteran forward finished with 20 points on 8-of-17 shooting, but the Pistons struggled to generate consistent offense as the Magic’s defensive pressure disrupted their rhythm.
“I mean, we’re a little too casual,” Harris said. “And we have to be, everybody knows that in our locker room, we have to be better. Every single guy, all of us have to be better.”
Detroit’s half-court execution has been one of its strengths throughout the season, yet Harris acknowledged breakdowns on both ends, especially in transition defense and closeouts.
“Obviously give them credit, they’re making shots,” Harris said. “At the same time, a lot of that has come from some of our defensive lapses out there on the floor and we got to do a better job.”
Orlando repeatedly attacked gaps in coverage, getting downhill and drawing fouls, while also capitalizing on Detroit’s inability to secure defensive rebounds in key moments.
“They’ve been able to get us in close out situations and break us down and get into the lane,” Harris said. “Some of that, a lot of that has come from our fault of some of our coverages.”
Despite the narrow margin, the Pistons now face a 3-1 deficit heading into Game 5, where Harris stressed that potential is no longer relevant without results.
“I mean that sounds great but we have to execute that next game, bottom line,” he said. “And get ourselves really going and get the momentum that we need.”
The series has featured multiple swings, but Detroit has often been forced to rally from behind, a trend Harris believes is unsustainable in the playoffs.
“Too many times in this game we’re battling back too many times, and in the playoffs that’s territory you don’t really want to be in too much,” he said.
Harris emphasized that the solution must come internally as the team prepares for an elimination game on its home floor.
“I don’t know. That’s something that we have to figure out as a collective group,” he said. “But we have to figure that out as a group, as a team.”
Game 5 shifts to Detroit on Wednesday, where the top seed must respond to extend its season against a Magic team closing in on its first playoff series win since 2010.
“But I trust in our group. I trust in our team. I trust in our guys,” Harris said.
