Pistons beat Magic 98-83 in Game 2 to even series and end NBA's longest home playoff losing streak

DETROIT (AP) — Cade Cunningham had 27 points, 11 assists and six rebounds to lead the top-seeded Detroit Pistons to a 98-83 win over the eighth-seeded Orlando Magic on Wednesday night, evening their first-round series and ending the longest home losing streak in NBA playoff history.

The Pistons had lost 11 straight home postseason games, a drought that started in 2008.

Game 3 is Saturday in Orlando.

Detroit dominated the third quarter, turning a tie game into a rout by outscoring the Magic 38-16 in the period with six players scoring at least five points.

After Cunningham scored a career playoff-high 39 points in Game 1 and didn’t get much help, the All-Star guard had plenty of support, with five teammates scoring in double figures.

Jalen Suggs scored 19 points and Paolo Banchero had 18 for the Magic. They combined to miss 21 of 35 shots as the team shot 33% and was held to a season low in points.

Detroit’s Tobias Harris scored 16 points, Jalen Duren and Ausar Thompson had 11 each, and Duncan Robertson and Isaiah Stewart each scored 10. Robinson made three much-needed 3-pointers for a team that struggles with outside shooting.

Orlando’s Franz Wagner and Desmond Bane had 12 points apiece and Wendell Carter Jr. was limited to three points on 1-of-6 shooting after he scored 17 in the opener.

The Magic did not trail in the opener as their starters scored at least 16 points apiece and the Pistons had just two players in double figures.

Detroit took its first lead of the series on the opening possession of Game 2 and jumped to a 14-7 lead with a desperately needed strong start after coming out sluggish in Game 1.

The Pistons led by four points after the opening quarter and the game was tied at 46 entering the third period, when Detroit looked like the defensive-minded team that had the best record in the Eastern Conference.

Both teams will have two days to make adjustments for Game 3.

Detroit hasn't advanced beyond the first playoff round in 18 years and Orlando hasn’t reached the second round in 16 years.

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

Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero (5) has his shot blocked by Detroit Pistons guard Javonte Green (31) during the first half in Game 2 of a first-round NBA basketball playoffs series Wednesday, April 22, 2026, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)

Detroit Pistons guard Daniss Jenkins (24) drives to the basket against Orlando Magic forward Tristan da Silva (23) and center Goga Bitadze (35) during the first half in Game 2 of a first-round NBA basketball playoffs series Wednesday, April 22, 2026, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)

Detroit Pistons forward Duncan Robinson (55) goes to the basket against Orlando Magic forward Jamal Cain (8) during the first half in Game 2 of a first-round NBA basketball playoffs series Wednesday, April 22, 2026, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)

Detroit Pistons forward Isaiah Stewart (28) celebrates after forcing a turnover by the Orlando Magic during the first half in Game 2 of a first-round NBA basketball playoffs series Wednesday, April 22, 2026, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)

Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham (2) takes a shot against Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero (5) as Pistons center Jalen Duren (0) helps defend during the first half in Game 2 of a first-round NBA basketball playoffs series Wednesday, April 22, 2026, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — The Flyers and Penguins put a squeeze on the penalty box in Game 3 of their playoff series — try, 11 total players cramped inside their designated punishment areas.

Each could have snapped a team photo after a melee broke out in the second period of the Flyers' 5-2 win over the Penguins on Wednesday night in their Eastern Conference first-round series.

“It was a party in there,” penalized Flyers defenseman Nick Seeler said.

The celebration extended into the joyous locker room after the Flyers took a 3-0 series lead.

Penguins forward Bryan Rust slammed Travis Konecny to the ice behind the net and smothered the Flyers forward in a hit that sparked all the lines to join the fray. Konecny ripped off his helmet and dropped his gloves and beckoned Rust to fight him.

Rust and Pittsburgh teammates Erik Karlsson, Samuel Girard, Connor Dewar and Ryan Shea went to the visiting box. Rust got an extra penalty that put the Flyers on the power play.

“I got elbowed, so I just kind of locked him, took him to the ground," Rust said. "He tried to kick me. We threw a couple punches back and forth. Not sure why I got an extra two (minutes).”

Konecny was joined by Travis Sanheim, Cam York, Matvei Michkov and Christian Dvorak in the home box. Dvorak turned to the group and said, “Imagine the celebration if we score one here.”

Trevor Zegras scored on the power play to tie it, and he went over to the penalty box to celebrate with his five teammates trapped inside.

“There was a lot of ‘em in there, and I figured they were going to be jumping around,” Zegras said. “I thought if I scored I was going right to them.”

Seeler joined them to make it six in there 61 seconds later when he was whistled for cross-checking, but that was after Zegras had tied it following a strong Pittsburgh start.

Penguins coach Dan Muse said the game changed “when they put all the players in the box.” Captain Sidney Crosby was similarly baffled.

“It kind of a turned into a bit of a circus there," Crosby said. “Not sure why they decided to put five guys in the box on each end.”

The photos of the Flyers-in-the-box turned into an instant social media hit around the NHL.

“I think you’ll be seeing that meme of the guys cellying in the box together for a long time,” Flyers forward Garnet Hathaway said.

Flyers fans went wild in celebration of the franchise's first home playoff game since 2018, and their first home playoff win since 2016. The Penguins were left to lament the penalty calls — and the lengthy delay.

“It took forever to get back playing hockey," goaltender Stuart Skinner said. “Everyone was just sitting around for what felt like forever. I don’t remember waiting that long for a puck drop maybe ever. Obviously circumstances had it that the refs had to take some time. It just took a while. ”

The Flyers lead the series 3-0 after winning both games in Pittsburgh. Game 4 is Saturday night.

It’s the second consecutive crowded penalty box night in the playoffs. Montreal and Tampa Bay each had all five skaters on the ice sent off at once following a similar postwhistle scrum in Canadiens-Lightning Game 2 on Tuesday.

Karlsson joined Muse and Crosby in his amazement after being sent off despite little to do with the melee.

“I didn’t do anything," Karlsson said. "They just decided to take everybody who was on the ice, which I’ve never seen in my 17 years (in the NHL). It’s unfortunate. It benefited them more than it benefited us. I don’t think that’s a question for me because I don’t fully understand what just happened.”

AP NHL playoffs: https://apnews.com/hub/stanley-cup and https://apnews.com/hub/nhl

Philadelphia Flyers and Pittsburgh Penguins players fight during the second period of Game 3 in the first round of the NHL Stanley Cup hockey playoffs Wednesday, April 22, 2026, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

Pittsburgh Penguins' Bryan Rust, left, wrestles with Philadelphia Flyers' Travis Konecny during the second period of Game 3 in the first round of the NHL Stanley Cup hockey playoffs Wednesday, April 22, 2026, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

Pittsburgh Penguins' players watch from the penalty box during the second period of Game 3 against the Philadelphia Flyers in the first round of the NHL Stanley Cup hockey playoffs Wednesday, April 22, 2026, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

Philadelphia Flyers' Trevor Zegras, right, celebrates with teammates in the penalty box after scoring a goal during the second period of Game 3 against the Pittsburgh Penguins in the first round of the NHL Stanley Cup hockey playoffs Wednesday, April 22, 2026, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)