The Magic‘s big offseason addition came through on Saturday when they needed him most. After scoring 17 points on 20 shots in Game 1 and 12 points on 11 shots in Game 2, Desmond Bane got hot in Game 3, scoring 25 points on 9-of-18 shooting and hitting 7-of-9 three-pointers.
Not only did Bane lead the Magic to a 2-1 series lead over the top-seeded Pistons, but he also tied Dennis Scott‘s franchise playoff record for made threes in a postseason game, Mike Bianchi writes for the Orlando Sentinel.
“Hopefully, I break (the record) before these playoffs are over,” Bane said after the game.
That kind of shooting from Bane is what the Magic envisioned when they traded for him. And at least for one game, it changed the way the Pistons had to guard them.
“I think that opens up another dimension for our group,” Franz Wagner said of Bane’s shot-making, per ESPN’s Ohm Youngmisuk.
We have more news and notes from the Magic:
- Previously listed as doubtful, Jonathan Isaac has been ruled out for Game 4 with a left knee sprain, The Sentinel’s Jason Beede notes (via Twitter). Isaac hasn’t suited up since March 12, when he played just one minute. He hasn’t logged 10 minutes since February 26, and he has only been available for 52 games this season.
- Jamal Cain‘s box score impact might not be significant, but he has earned the trust of his teammates with his steady, veteran play, Beede writes. “[The players] celebrate him when he has some success, but he just does all the little things within a game, rebounding, guarding multiple players,” coach Jamahl Mosley said. “And just does it without saying anything, just (does) what’s necessary to help this team get a win.” While Cain was a member of the 2023 Heat, who went from a No. 8 seed to the NBA Finals, this series represents his first chance to actually get on the floor in the playoffs. “I knew he was a rotational player (back) in open gym,” Bane said. “Just the way he defends, the way he’s able to make open shots … (He’s) unselfish and plays extremely hard. Those guys don’t grow on trees. So, I knew it was only a matter of time, and in this league when you get your opportunity, you’ve got to be ready. And he was ready.”
- It has been sixteen years since the Magic led a playoff series after three or more games, Josh Robbins writes for The Athletic. It hasn’t been an easy road to get to this point, but the players and coaching staff have overcome adversity and earned this opportunity to extend the series lead on Monday night through their resilience and timely coalescing, Beede adds. “We just want to win so bad,” star forward Paolo Banchero said. “Once we got into the play-in, got our spot in the playoffs … It’s a new season, that’s all we kept saying. It’s a new season, new energy.” The Magic know that the Pistons are not going to make things easy on them as Detroit faces an unexpected uphill climb. “We know what the next game holds,” said Jalen Suggs. “We know the magnitude of it, and we’ve got to come out and continue doing the things that we did tonight and build off of a couple key learning moments that we can take with us into the next one.”
Wow, Dennis Scott, that’s a name I haven’t heard in a minute. I feel old lol
Imagine Scott getting the green light like the players of today get
This is the series lols. ——. who wants it ??
Low scoring game. Back n forth
Magic — 30/92 FG, 52 reb, Pistons 44 pts in paint,
9/35 3pt, 25/34 FT, 10 TO
Pistons — 31/82 FG, 49 reb, Magic 34 pts in paint,
6/30 3pt, 20/28 FT, 20 TO
How close can a game get. The turn overs killed Pistons. Matchups lols. Magic matchup well with Pistons.
Al
It’s funny because on a different post before the playoffs I forget that Washington whatever cat dude argued me down that a team with a high seed is a contender. I have been consistent I believe you said it too the Pistons are a weak Link. Detroit, Lakers and Huston were never contenders. I’m adding Cleveland to that place after watching them in this round. The harden, but Cleveland needs to move Mitchell to the point guard and get a shooting guard who can shoot and play defense. Get a good small forward. Sure, I’m sold on mobley
I know you know ball. Even if we disagree, nothing wrong with that. You know posters just look at wins totals. And think thats a top team. Pistons are also new to playoffs lol. Not something you get right away as a team. Freakin Knicks still getting it man.
Playoffs are all about matchups. And Magic got healthy at right time. You know you have to come ready for playoffs lol.
I know who you mean bro. We all learn right.
Look at Minny, too bad they got hurt.
I’ve been saying it for years that Mitchell needs to be a PG
He is no Allen Iverson
This game was a perfect example of how officiating impacts games. No-calls become turnovers, and the team with less points in the paint that shot 5 more threes shoots 6 more free throws and wins by 6 pts.
Both teams shot FTs. Home team got 6 more FTs.
It was a physical gm. A defensive battle really. The TOs killed them.
Like that football coach said. “You play to win the games.”
My main point was that many of the TOs were from fouls that weren’t called.
But as well, usually the team that has more points in the paint and shoots less threes gets more free throws.
I disagree. Complaining about refs is weak. They had a lot of unforced errors. And the couldn’t stop Bane. Bane was the man this game. The vet they needed.
I got a rumor
So I heard Duren’s ex gf is now dating Wendell Carter Jr now. No joke
Duren is definitely a PF
Let’s go Paolo!! Stayed focused even with all the media hating on him .