After a 94-88 Game 4 loss to the Orlando Magic that put them in a 3-1 hole, the Detroit Pistons head home for Game 5 with history on their side. Franz Wagner exited early with a calf strain and is questionable for the next game, while echoes of their 2003 rally from the same deficit offer hope.
The top-seeded Pistons, tied or leading late in Games 3 and 4, now face elimination but can draw inspiration from their 2003 first-round series against Doc Rivers' Magic. Trailing 3-1, Detroit stormed back with decisive wins: Game 5 (98-67), Game 6 (103-88), and Game 7 (108-93). They became the only No. 1 seed to overcome a 3-1 deficit in a best-of-seven first-round series. Chauncey Billups erupted for 40 points in Game 6 and 37 in Game 7, with Ben Wallace anchoring the defense. Coach Rick Carlisle praised the home crowd and adjustments that stifled Tracy McGrady, who fell to 36.1% shooting in the final three games after averaging 36.3 points early. That Pistons team advanced to the Eastern Conference finals. A Game 5 win at home could force a Game 6 and potential Game 7 in Detroit, despite Orlando's series edge.
