Wednesday's NBA matchups: Magic-Pistons, Thunder-Suns are set for Game 2s

DETROIT (AP) — The NBA playoffs become chess matches for coaches.

After wins and losses, they work on adjustments during practices to address problems from the previous game and attempt to predict counter moves opponents will make in the next matchup.

In the Orlando-Detroit series, coaches Jamahl Mosley and J.B. Bickerstaff are close friends who have intentionally spent time together off the court and communicated frequently for a couple decades.

Just not right now.

“We won’t talk for the rest of this series,” Mosley said.

The Mosley-led, eighth-seeded Magic upset the Bickerstaff-led, first-seeded Pistons 112-101 on Sunday night.

“Friends as close as us don’t typically get to these spots, having two of 30 jobs, so it’s special from that standpoint,” Bickerstaff said. “It’s not always the easiest because you know somebody’s got to lose, somebody’s got to win, but it’s competition and you get it.”

Game 2 is Wednesday night in Detroit, where the Magic will shoot for a 2-0 lead before the series shifts to Orlando.

Later on Wednesday night, the top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder will host eighth-seeded Phoenix. The defending champions will have a chance to take a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven series after opening with a 119-84 win against the Suns.

Bickerstaff, in his last year with the Cleveland Cavaliers, eliminated Mosley and the Magic in their last NBA playoff matchup in a Game 7 of a first-round series in 2024.

It's business, not personal.

“We’ll always be friends, through thick and thin,” Mosley said. ”But at the end of the day when we cross the lines, it’s like you’re going into an octagon or a boxing match."

The 47-year-old coaches developed their friendship as up-and-coming assistants in the NBA about 20 years ago. They also shared a connection through Bickerstaff's father, Bernie, when he and Mosley were assistants together in Cleveland during the 2013-14 season.

Bernie Bickerstaff, who won 419 NBA games as a head coach, has joined his son in Detroit this week.

“I couldn't be more fortunate to have someone who has been through all the stuff that he's been through, and will talk with you honestly and purely with no agenda,” J.B. Bickerstaff said Tuesday after his father watched the team's practice. “It's a ton of help, just having him here.”

J.B. Bickerstaff, who previously coached in Houston, Memphis and Cleveland, is in his 10th season as a head coach in the league. Mosley is in his fifth year as an NBA head coach with the Magic.

Oklahoma City’s Mark Daigneault and Phoenix’s Jordan Ott are both 41, born less than a week apart in 1985.

The similarities seem to end there.

Daigneault, the NBA’s Coach of the Year in 2024, has led the Thunder to the top seed in the Western Conference three straight years and guided them to their first NBA title last year.

"He’s just as committed to winning as we are,” Oklahoma City wing Jalen Williams said. “And he’s a basketball mind, so I think that makes everybody on the team respect him. And he’s cool to be around, too.”

Ott is in his first year as an NBA head coach and lost his playoff debut on Sunday. He said the Thunder are tough to prepare for because of their quality depth and ability to change lineups.

“They have guys ready, and they’re able to stay ready," Ott said. "It allows them to go a bunch of different ways.”

When/Where to Watch: Game 2, 7 p.m. EDT (ESPN)

Series: Magic lead, 1-0.

Betting line: Pistons by 9 1/2.

What to Know: Orlando hasn't started a series with two wins since 2010 when it swept Charlotte and Atlanta in the first two rounds and reached the conference finals. Detroit lost an NBA-record 11th straight home playoff game in Game 1 despite Cade Cunningham scoring a playoff career-high 39 points. The Magic did not trail in the opener as their starters scored at least 16 points apiece and allowed just two Pistons to score in double figures. Detroit All-Star center Jalen Duren, a finalist for Most Improved Player, was 3 of 4 and scored only eight points against Wendell Carter. “He kept Duren, basically, out of the game,” Magic guard Anthony Black said Tuesday.

When/Where to Watch: Game 2, 9 p.m. EDT (ESPN)

Series: Thunder lead, 1-0.

Betting line: Thunder by 17 1/2.

What to Know: Oklahoma City scored 119 points in Game 1 despite Shai Gilgeous-Alexander making only 5 of 18 field goals. The reigning MVP and finalist to win the award again made 55.3% of his shots this season. Phoenix will attempt to keep him off the line after he made 15 of 17 free throws. Dillon Brooks was 6 of 22 and scored 18 points for the Suns, who may want to get more shots for All-Star Devin Booker after he had 23 points on 17 shots. Oklahoma City’s Chet Holmgren finished second in voting for Defensive Player of the Year behind Victor Wembanyama. The Suns shot 34.9% in the series opener.

AP Sports Writer Cliff Brunt in Oklahoma City contributed to this report.

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba

Detroit Pistons head coach J.B. Bickerstaff, right, argues with referee Kevin Scott (24) during the first half in Game 1 against the Orlando Magic in a first-round NBA basketball playoffs series Sunday, April 19, 2026, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)

Oklahoma City Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault gives instructions to his team during the first half in Game 1 of a first-round NBA playoffs basketball series against the Phoenix Suns, Sunday, April 19, 2026, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings)

Phoenix Suns head coach Jordan Ott gives instructions during the second half in Game 1 of a first-round NBA playoffs basketball series against the Oklahoma City Thunder, Sunday, April 19, 2026, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings)

Orlando Magic head coach Jamahl Mosley shouts at his team during the first half in Game 1 of a first-round NBA basketball playoffs series against the Detroit Pistons Sunday, April 19, 2026, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)

Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham (2) discusses a play with Detroit Pistons head coach J.B. Bickerstaff, left, during the first half in Game 1 against the Orlando Magic in a first-round NBA basketball playoffs series Sunday, April 19, 2026, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)

The final of the Eurovision Song Contest got underway Saturday with tight security and rainy weather failing to dent the enthusiasm of the fans — or that of the critics who think Israel shouldn’t have been invited to the party.

After a week’s buildup, acts from 25 countries took the stage at the Wiener Stadthalle arena in Vienna to battle for the continent’s pop crown. Millions of viewers around the world will cast judgment on a fiery Finnish violinist, a Moldovan folk rapper, a Serbian metal band and many more at Eurovision’s 70th anniversary event.

The contest has been clouded for a third year by calls for Israel to be excluded over its conflicts in Gaza and elsewhere, with five longtime participants — Spain, the Netherlands, Ireland, Iceland and Slovenia — boycotting in protest.

Here is the latest:

Croatia’s Lelek channeled something ancient and powerful with their goth-y folk “Andromeda.” Their stacked harmonies were only emboldened by their physical appearance: The women wore marks on their face and body meant to look like the same used to repel the Ottoman Empire.

The U.K.’s Look Mum No Computer with its “Eins, Zwei, Drei” was a thoughtful critique of the mundanity of labor but also catchy, synth-pop and goofy. Their stage design was also one of the most fun: soulless rectangular desks became imaginative platforms, like an alternative universe nightclub in space.

From France, Monroe’s “Regarde!” was strong on classism over all and judging by the cheers in the room – an effective one.

After the halfway mark, with just 10 performances remaining, Moldova’s rapper Satoshi performed the cheekily patriotic “Viva, Moldova!” with his full heart, in several languages, in a chorus so addictive it almost recalls the anthemic work of anthemic Irish hip-hop trio Kneecap.

Ukrainian singer Leléka offered the ethereal, beautiful “Ridnym,” and Australian star Delta Goodrem showed what a diva should be like with her slick midtempo ballad “Eclipse” — and a bravura performance that saw her raised into the air above a glittery piano. Id she wins, a European country would likely host for Australia next year.

Serbian metal band Lavina provided a dramatic change of pace with the angst “Kraj Mene.”

Aidan’s big-feelings “Bella,” Malta’s Eurovision entry, was all about romance: strings, big belts, swooning instrumentation. It was also one of few Eurovision entries from Malta to feature the Maltese language.

The Czech Republic put their hopes in Daniel Žižka’s “Crossroads,” a restrained pop ballad that builds to a triumphant chorus. Bulgaria’s Dara, a veteran pop performer at this stage, delivered an up-tempo pop banger “Bangaranga,” easily one of the most animated tracks of the bunch this year. And on stage, it was a mood elevator.

Even before the show’s halfway mark, there was already fire, smoke, animal prints and lots of sunglasses worn inside. Lavina, a metal band from Serbia, performed in a digital rainfall as well as burst of flames in studded leather, “Mad Max”-looking costumes.

Albania’s Alis used a smoke-filled stage with digital wings and a clock, inviting a woman depicting a mother onto the stage in a traditional folk dress for his driving, gloomy track, “Nân.” Sarah Engels of Germany added pyrotechnics to her “Fire,” naturally, and Delta Goodrem of Australia added a shimmering golden piano, fire and enough wind machines to power a small town.

Greece’s Akylas was playful with his pounding house track “Ferto,” dressed in tiger-striped shorts and a knit hat and using a scooter to glide along the stage, adding human statues. Ukraine needed only beams of light, a blowing curtain effect and Leleka’s powerhouse vocals as she delivered “Ridnym.”

Denmark’s all-Danish-language Eurovision entry was first with Søren Torpegaard’s “Før Vi Går Hjem,” which he delivered with the specific skillset of someone who has starred as Tony in “West Side Story,” Angel in “Kinky Boots” and Romeo in “Romeo & Juliet.”

Sarah Engels followed, representing her home country of Germany with “Fire.” As the second performer of the night, she took the opportunity to bring pyrotechnics to the stage.

Then came Noam Bettan’s “Michelle” — Israel’s inclusion in Eurovision, which has drawn criticisms. Spain, Ireland, the Netherlands, Slovenia and Iceland withdrew from the competition this year, choosing not to participate to protest Israel’s inclusion.

Most recently, Bettan’s performance was disrupted by protesters during the first semifinal on Tuesday; chants of “Stop the genocide!” were heard in the crowd. At the final, it wasn’t immediately clear if that continued.

Belgium’s Essyla took the stage with “Dancing on the Ice” — a cool ride with its chilly vocal performance and Billie Eilish-informed production, followed by Albania’s Alis.

Protesters called for Israel to be excluded from Eurovision demonstrated near the contest arena ahead of the final. Several hundred marched, with chants of “all of Vienna hates the ESC,” a reference to the Eurovision Song Contest.

They were kept well away from the venue which lies behind a police security cordon.

Demonstrator Echo Vinasha Lex said it was “important to protest against that idea that the song contest is not political. The song contest is a very political event.”

At the start, a filmed opening montage showcased Austria’s majestic scenery as a paper boat made its way to Vienna — a reference to 2025 Eurovision winner JJ’s storm-tossed performance of “Wasted Love.”

The show opened with a performance by last year’s winner, the operatically trained Austrian singer JJ, and an Olympic-style flag parade of the 25 finalists. Then it was on to performances by the musicians, who have just 3 minutes to win over millions of viewers who, along with national juries of music professionals, pick the winner.

The hosts for the extravaganza on Saturday are Michael Ostrowski, an Austrian actor best known for German-language comedy films, and Victoria Swarovski, a model, singer, TV presenter and heir to the Swarovski crystal and luxury goods business.

The head of the Eurovision Song Contest has urged viewers to put politics aside and enjoy the “brilliant, wonderful, heartfelt show” that is the competition’s grand final.

As the contest turns 70 with calls for Israel to be kicked out over the conduct of its war in Gaza and a five-country boycott, Eurovision director Martin Green said the contest is a chance for a few hours to “close the curtains to the outside world and dream that something else is possible.”

He told a news conference that for 70 years Eurovision has given “voice to the voiceless” and celebrated marginalized communities.

“Here’s to the next 70 years,” he said.

Demonstrators protest against Israel ahead of the Grand Final of the 70th Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna, Austria, Saturday, May 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)

Satoshi from Moldova performs the song "Viva, Moldova!" during the dress rehearsal for the Grand Final of the 70th Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna, Austria, Friday, May 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)

Delta Goodrem from Australia performs the song "Eclipse" during the dress rehearsal for the Grand Final of the 70th Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna, Austria, Friday, May 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)

Linda Lampenius and Pete Parkkonen from Finland perform the song "Liekinheitin" during the first semifinal of the 70th Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna, Austria, Tuesday, May 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)

Demonstrators protest against Israel ahead of the Grand Final of the 70th Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna, Austria, Saturday, May 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)