Most of the series in the First Round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs aren’t in territory where Game 4 will be the decisive matchup, but some series aren’t far off. More than one major Conference title contender is now on upset watch as they progress through their First Round games, and the Detroit Pistons are definitely on that list. 

How to Watch

Watch NBA on NBC on NBC and streaming on Peacock. 

The Pistons, who finished the regular season first in the East, seemed set for a promising playoff run that would begin with a winnable series against the Orlando Magic, but the Magic had other plans. Fresh off their Play-In Tournament victory, Orlando took Game 1 in the series, and while the Pistons came back to win Game 2, the Magic now have a 2-1 lead after a Game 3 victory Saturday night on NBC and Peacock. 

Now, Monday night it’s time for Game 4. Can the Pistons get a win before the series heads back to Detroit, or will the Magic extend their run?

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How to watch Detroit Pistons vs. Orlando Magic Game 4

The Pistons and the Magic represent the start of yet another Playoffs tripleheader on the NBA on NBC Monday night. The game tips off at 8 p.m. ET live from the Kia Center in Orlando, and you can catch it live on NBC or streaming on Peacock. 

Michael Grady will have the play-by-play call for NBC Sports, with analysis from Robbie Hummell and Austin Rivers and courtside reporting from Grant LIffmann. And be sure to tune in early to Peacock for NBA Showtime, the streamer’s exclusive pregame show, which begins at 6:30 p.m. ET.

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What to expect from Pistons vs. Magic Game 4

The Pistons lost Game 3 to an aggressive Orlando squad that featured both Paolo Banchero and Desmond Bane dropping 25 points on Detroit’s defense, but it wasn’t a rout. It may have looked that way for a little, but by the fourth quarter Cade Cunningham and the Pistons started to look a bit more like their old selves, going on a six-minutes run that saw them outscore the Magic more than three-to-one. They took the lead, but they couldn’t hold it, and Orlando won by eight. A big reason why? Rebounding, led by 17 boards for Wendell Carter Jr. and another 12 for Banchero. 

So, with another game in Orlando tonight, the object for the Pistons is to get their offense in gear faster and hold on longer, but the Magic are clearly relishing their lead in the series and won’t be quick to give it up, especially with more games in Detroit on the horizon. This game won’t decide the series, but it could tip the scales in the direction of the winners in a way that’s hard to undo.