Game 1 is set for Sunday, April 19 at 6:30 PM ET on NBC, followed by Game 2 on Wednesday, April 22 at 7:00 PM ET on ESPN. Game 3 is scheduled for Saturday, April 25 at 1:00 PM ET on Peacock. Games 4 through 7 have times and dates that will be announced, with potential games on April 27, 29, May 1 and May 3.
The Play-In field concluded with four contenders: the 76ers, Heat, Hornets and Magic. The Hornets earned a shot at No. 8 with an upset overtime win over the Heat, while Philadelphia’s victory over Orlando set up a Sixers-Celtics matchup. The Magic then secured the final playoff berth by defeating the Hornets 121-90 on Friday.
Pistons head coach JB Bickerstaff offered perspective on Orlando’s personnel, noting the Magic’s big, physical players that can get to the free-throw line, apply pressure on defense, and stress teams in the paint. He underscored the challenge of facing a physical, length-heavy Orlando squad.
Regular-season results gave Detroit and Orlando a balanced split, each side winning twice in their four meetings. The winner of this series will advance to face either the Toronto Raptors or the Cleveland Cavaliers in the second round, adding another layer of intrigue to a tightly contested matchup.
The upcoming series is set to test Detroit’s top-seed status against a rugged Orlando squad, with a clear path to the second round and a fresh opportunity to prove itself in a conference playoff race. As the schedule confirms, fans can look forward to a competitive first round beginning this weekend.
