ORLANDO, Fla. -- Desmond Bane delivered a scorching performance in Game 3, igniting the Orlando Magic to a pivotal 113-105 win over the Detroit Pistons at a packed Kia Center on Saturday, giving Orlando a 2-1 series lead. Bane, who struggled with his 3-point shot in the first two games, found his rhythm, making seven treys and finishing with 25 points. His seven 3-pointers tied Dennis Scott's franchise record for most 3-pointers in a playoff game, a performance teammate Franz Wagner noted would "open up another dimension for our group."

The Magic's significant investment in Bane, acquired last offseason via a trade involving four unprotected first-round picks, a first-round pick swap, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, and Cole Anthony, was finally justified in this critical matchup. Orlando's expectation was for Bane to provide much-needed outside shooting alongside Paolo Banchero and Wagner, crucial for combating smothering defenses. Despite initial inconsistencies and injuries forcing the Magic to secure the eighth seed through a do-or-die play-in game, the team has transformed since demolishing the Charlotte Hornets on April 17, showcasing a physical and annoying defense that has challenged the 60-win Pistons.

Beyond Bane's offensive explosion, Wendell Carter Jr. dominated inside, contributing 14 points and 17 rebounds, eight of which came on the offensive glass. Carter Jr.'s physical play was instrumental in fouling out Detroit's All-Star big man, Jalen Duren, in the fourth quarter. Duren continued to struggle, missing 7-of-10 shots for eight points and nine rebounds, though he did add five blocks. Isaiah Stewart also showed frustration, shoving Carter Jr. at the end of the first half. Carter Jr. emphasized his approach, stating, "I just knew I had to be the most physical person out there. Or they were going to punk me."

The Pistons, however, proved resilient. After Orlando built a 96-79 lead with 8:42 left, Detroit mounted a fierce comeback. Reminiscent of their 30-3 run in Game 2, the Pistons unleashed a 26-8 surge to take a 105-104 lead with 2:52 remaining, with Cade Cunningham scoring 12 of his 27 points during the run. Despite the pressure, the young Magic demonstrated newfound maturity. Bane reflected on this growth, remarking, "We've had moments where a run like that would derail us. We would go apart instead of coming together. That's the growth of this team."

Orlando maintained its composure, with Wagner responding immediately with five straight points. Paolo Banchero then sealed the victory with a crucial 3-pointer that remarkably bounced high off the back rim before falling in with 38.8 seconds left. Banchero, determined since missing all five 3-point attempts in the play-in loss to Philadelphia, had a nearly triple-double performance with 25 points, 12 rebounds, nine assists, three steals, and two blocks. He credited his no-hesitation shot for the lucky bounce, stating, "basketball gods don't reward hesitation."

Detroit now faces a must-win Game 4 on Monday in Orlando to avoid falling behind 3-1 in the series. Pistons coach J.B. Bickerstaff expressed confidence in his team, despite the loss, noting, "We win on Monday, we take home-court advantage back. Today's game, we'll learn from it. But it's over with." The Pistons recently snapped an 11-game home playoff losing streak in Game 2, the longest in playoff history, highlighting their ability to overcome adversity. Cunningham acknowledged his role in the team's organization, vowing to "be better organizing this thing."