Detroit center Jalen Duren has been unusually quiet through the first-round playoff series against the Orlando Magic, a trend the top-seeded Pistons will need to reverse quickly if they hope to advance.

Detroit trails 2-1 in the best-of-seven Eastern Conference series heading into Game 4 on Monday in Orlando, and Duren’s production has not matched expectations. The 22-year-old All-Star has averaged just 9.0 points and 8.3 rebounds in the series, well below his regular-season mark of 19.5 points per game. In Saturday’s 113-105 loss, he finished with eight points in 27 minutes before fouling out, though he did contribute five blocked shots.

The Pistons mounted a strong late rally in Game 3, erasing a 17-point deficit after trailing 96-79 with 8:34 remaining. Detroit surged on a 26-8 run to take a one-point lead with 2:52 left, but Orlando closed the game on a 9-0 run to secure the win.

Cade Cunningham led Detroit with 27 points and nine assists in the losing effort. He also struggled with ball security, committing nine turnovers and shooting 3 of 10 from beyond the arc. Despite his efforts, the Pistons were unable to finish their comeback.

Much of Detroit’s focus remains on Duren’s limited impact in the series. His scoring dip has been a major storyline, even as teammates remain confident he will rebound.

“He’s confident,” Cunningham said. “These last three games haven’t been what he wants or what we want for him. But we have no doubt he’s going to figure it out. He knows it too. We’re looking forward to him making his mark in the next game.”

Head coach J.B. Bickerstaff also expressed confidence in his team’s ability to respond.

“It’s one game at a time, that’s what playoff series are,” Bickerstaff said. “We go down there, win Monday, and take back home-court advantage. We’ll learn from this game, watch the film, and get ready.”

Detroit faces another difficult test in Orlando, where the Magic have won five of their last six home playoff games.

For Orlando, Paolo Banchero and Desmond Bane delivered 25 points each in Game 3, while Franz Wagner added 17 points, including a key three-pointer in the final two minutes. Bane, acquired in a major offseason trade, responded strongly after a slow start to the series, shooting 7 of 9 from three-point range.

Orlando matched Detroit’s physical intensity throughout the game and held firm in the closing minutes despite the Pistons’ late surge.

“When they tied it up, nobody panicked,” Banchero said. “We understood the moment and stayed composed. We just executed when it mattered.”

Magic coach Jamahl Mosley praised his team’s poise under pressure.

“It was about composure,” Mosley said. “They tied it up late, but we didn’t get rattled. We stayed focused, got stops, and made big plays when we needed them. Our defense and communication were key.”

The series now shifts back to Orlando for a pivotal Game 4, with Detroit looking to even the matchup and regain momentum. -Field Level Media/Reuters