How to Stream Pistons vs. Magic Live With Sling TV
How to watch the Pistons vs. Magic First Round series in the 2026 NBA Playoffs with Sling, plus full live stream schedule, preview, and more.
The Detroit Pistons take on the Orlando Magic in the First Round of the NBA Playoffs, the first test of Detroit’s status as the team to beat in the East. Games on ESPN, NBC, and ABC will be available to stream live with Sling. Here’s everything you need to know.
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Pistons vs. Magic First Round Schedule: Dates, Times, and Channels
Here’s a look at the complete First Round schedule between Detroit and Orlando:
#1 Detroit Pistons vs. #8 Orlando Magic
- Game 1: Orlando 112, Detroit 101
- Game 2: Orlando at Detroit – Wednesday, April 22 (7:00 ET, ESPN)
- Game 3: Detroit at Orlando – Saturday, April 25 (1:00 ET, NBC)
- Game 4: Detroit at Orlando – Monday, April 27 (TBD)
- Game 5: Orlando at Detroit – Wednesday, April 29 (If necessary)
- Game 6: Detroit at Orlando – Friday, May 1 (If necessary)
- Game 7: Orlando at Detroit – Sunday, May 3 (If necessary)
How to Watch Detroit vs. Orlando with Sling
The first two rounds of the NBA Playoffs will be shared between the NBA’s 2026 broadcast partners: ABC, Amazon Prime Video, ESPN, NBC, and Peacock. (Note: Prime Video and Peacock games require a separate subscription).
- Any game on ESPN is on Sling. Watch with Sling Essentials (our new plan for ESPN & more at the lowest price on the market), Sling Orange, or Sling Orange + Blue. You can also watch with a 1, 3, or 7 Day Pass subscription.
- Games on NBC and/or ABC will be available with Sling Select or Sling Blue in the markets listed below:
- If you live in any of these areas, Sling Essentials & Select will get you games on NBC and/or ABC, plus ESPN games.
- Games on Amazon Prime or Peacock require a separate subscription.
Subscribe to Sling Essentials + Select using the link below!
Detroit vs. Orlando Series Preview: Things to Watch
https://youtu.be/5S8QNN3uDzY?si=HkGsyijaC20fHZ3K
Following a listless loss to the Philadelphia 76ers in the first Play-In game, Orlando focused up and dominated the Charlotte Hornets to earn the 8-seed in the East. The Magic’s 31-point blowout of the Hornets was the biggest win in Play-In history and gives the Magic some much-needed confidence following a regular season that was viewed by many as a major disappointment.
In fact, a “nothing-to-lose” attitude might be Orlando’s biggest advantage against the top-seeded Detroit Pistons. With all of the attention in the East focused on Knicks and Celtics, the Pistons quietly grinded their way to the East’s No. 1 seed, and now face the heavy expectations that come with that.
Yet in other ways, the Pistons must feel like they too are playing with house money. Their 60-win season was the team’s first in 20 years, and just two years ago, it looked like they were still in the midst of a rebuild. In his fifth season, Cade Cunningham was flirting with MVP consideration until a freak collapsed lung injury sidelined him for 11 games down the stretch.
Like the championship Pistons teams of old, this squad prides itself on their defensive effort, anchored by big men Jalen Duren and Ausar Thompson. That doesn’t bode well for a Magic team that was middle-of-the-road offensively. Unless Paolo Banchero and Desmond Bane can find the offensive chemistry that’s thus far eluded them this season, the Pistons shouldn’t have much of a problem winning their first playoff series since 2008.
Series Odds and Prediction
https://youtu.be/SAdcCz9-qzo?si=fPLaeXlkaKcbKUbH
On Saturday morning, DraftKings Sportsbook has the odds of Detroit advancing listed at -500, and the Magic at +380. That speaks to the lack of respect that Detroit is getting despite having home court throughout the Eastern Conference playoffs (by comparison, the Celtics are -900 favorites over the Sixers, and even the Rockets have better odds to beat the Lakers at -575). Among teams in the East, Detroit currently has the fourth-best odds to win the NBA Finals (+2200), trailing Boston, New York, and Cleveland. We suspect that all of these betting nuggets, and the video above, will be posted prominently in the Pistons’ locker room.
Prediction: Pistons in five.
To watch Pistons-Magic games on ESPN with Sling, use the link below to subscribe to a 1 Day Pass! Or to watch all NBA Playoff games on ESPN with Sling, subscribe to our new Sling Essentials service, with ESPN and much more!