The Detroit Pistons play host to the Orlando Magic in a crucial Game 5 of the 1st Round at Little Caesars Arena on Wednesday night. Here’s a Pistons vs. Magic Prediction. This article will include a Pistons vs. Magic Pick.
Orlando Magic Betting Preview
The Orlando Magic entered the NBA Playoffs as the dark horse in the race but they are now just one win away from knocking off the top seed in the Eastern Conference after outlasting the Pistons in a 94-88 win in Game 4 on Monday. Desmond Bane led the team with 22 points, Franz Wagner added 19 points, and Paolo Banchero chipped in with 18 points, eight rebounds and four assists. As a team, the Magic shot just 33 percent from the field and nine of 35 from the 3-point line, which aren’t pretty numbers, but they were disruptive on the defensive end and forced the Pistons into 20 turnovers, which kept them just in front for almost the entire second half. Jalen Suggs had a night to forget as he shot just one of 13 from the field for his five points and Paolo Banchero wasn’t much better as he shot just four of 18 from the field and zero of four from the 3-point line.
Detroit Pistons Betting Preview
Meanwhile, the Detroit Pistons are officially in panic mode as they are now on the brink of elimination after falling short to the Magic in a pivotal Game 4 on Monday. Cade Cunningham led the team in scoring with 25 points, nine rebounds and six assists; Tobias Harris added 20 points while Jalen Duren chipped in with 12 points. As a team, the Pistons shot 38 percent from the field and six of 30 from the 3-point line as they caught fire in the second quarter to turn an early 12-point deficit into a nine-point lead, but it didn’t last long at all as they were trailing by halftime and just couldn’t reclaim the lead as they managed just 36 points in the entire second half. Duncan Robinson scored just seven points on two of eight shots while Ausar Thompson scored just six points on two of eight shots.
Why the Detroit Pistons will win
- The Pistons have won each of their last nine home games after losing as favorites.
- The Magic have lost seven of their last eight road games against teams that held a winning record.
- The Pistons have covered the spread in each of their last eight Wednesday games against the Magic.
- The Magic have failed to cover the spread in eight of their last 10 night games at Little Caesars Arena.
Why the Orlando Magic will win
- The underdogs have won six of the Pistons’ last seven playoff games.
- The Pistons have lost five of their last six games as favorites against Southeast Division opponents.
- The Pistons have failed to cover the spread in six of their last seven playoff home games.
- The underdogs have covered the spread in six of the Pistons’ last seven playoff games.
Total Points: Facts
- Each of the Magic’s last seven night games has gone UNDER the total points line.
- Seven of the Pistons’ last eight home games against the Magic have gone UNDER the total points line.
Detroit Pistons Player Facts
- Ausar Thompson ranks 1st amongst qualified players for steals per game (2.0) this season.
- Jalen Duren has recorded the most field goal attempts without a three-point attempt (803) of any player in the league this season.
Orlando Magic Player Facts
- Desmond Bane ranks 1st in the Eastern Conference amongst qualified players for FT% (90.8%) this season.
- Paolo Banchero is one of only five qualified players in the league to be leading their team in points (22.2), rebounds (8.4) and assists (5.2) per game this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Pistons rank 1st in the league for opponent assists per game this season (23.5).
- The Pistons rank 1st in the league for steals per game this season (10.4).
- The Magic rank 1st in the league for free throws made per game this season (22.0).
- The Magic rank 1st in the league for free throw attempts per game this season (27.5).
Pistons vs Magic Prediction
The Magic are sweating on the availability of Jonathan Isaac and Franz Wagner, who are both listed as game-time decisions, while the Pistons are keeping an eye on Kevin Huerter, who is a game-time decision with a thigh injury. The Magic hold all of the momentum with a 3-1 series lead and they would’ve taken so much confidence from their last win, as they did with Suggs and Banchero shooting a combined five of 31 from the field, which I don’t see happening again in this series. I am sure the Pistons get off to a better start in front of their home fans, but this line just seems too hefty given what we’ve seen so far in this series. It’s hard to picture the Pistons losing at home given what is at stake, but I still back the Magic to at least keep this to single digits in the end.