basketball

Pistons and Cavaliers advance in NBA play-offs

BBC Sport

The Detroit Pistons will play the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference semi-finals The Detroit Pistons fought back from a 3-1 deficit to beat the Orlando Magic in the NBA play-offs and advance to the Eastern Conference semi-finals.

The Detroit Pistons will play the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference semi-finals The Detroit Pistons fought back from a 3-1 deficit to beat the Orlando Magic in the NBA play-offs and advance to the Eastern Conference semi-finals. The Pistons won the final match of their best-of-seven series 116-94, their first play-off series win since 2008. They are the 15th team in NBA history to come back from 3-1 down, and the second in the space of two days after the Philadelphia 76ers beat the Boston Celtics.

Cade Cunningham top-scored for the Pistons with 32 points and 12 assists, while Tobias Harris added 30 points. "We had a great regular season, we built a lot of momentum going into these play-offs," said Cunningham. "To lose in the first round would have really stung.

To come back from 3-1, odds against us, and to come back and win it at home - it feels good. " The Pistons will face the Cleveland Cavaliers in the semi-finals, another best-of-seven series starting on 5 May. The Cavaliers beat the Toronto Raptors to book their place in the second round with a 114-102 victory.

Jarrett Allen starred for the Cavaliers with 22 points and 19 rebounds as they recovered from a 10-point deficit after the first quarter. The scores were tied 49-49 at the halfway mark but the Cavaliers surged ahead in the third quarter with Allen contributing 14 points and 10 of his rebounds. "I just wanted to show my team-mates that we can win this game," said Allen.