The Detroit Pistons and the Orlando Magic duke it out at the Kia Center on Sunday night. Here’s a Magic vs. Pistons prediction. This article will include a Magic vs. Pistons pick.
Detroit Pistons Betting Preview
The Detroit Pistons have been on a tear as they’ve won 10 of their last 12 games overall and they will be aiming for a third straight victory after outlasting the Cavaliers in a 122-119 overtime win on Friday. Jalen Duren led the team with 33 points, 16 rebounds, and three blocks; Cade Cunningham added 25 points with 10 rebounds and seven assists before he got fouled out of the game, while Ausar Thompson chipped in with 18 points, eight rebounds, and five assists. As a team, the Pistons shot 46 percent from the field and six of 27 from the 3-point line as they got off to a sluggish start and looked in trouble when they trailed by nine points late in the fourth quarter before they closed the fourth quarter on a 16-7 run in the final 2:28 to force the game into overtime, where they held the Cavaliers to just five points to secure the gritty comeback win.
Orlando Magic Betting Preview
Meanwhile, the Orlando Magic have been in great shape lately, as they’ve won six of their last nine games overall, but they will be looking to bounce back in this one after falling short to the Rockets in a 113-108 loss on Thursday. Desmond Bane led the team with 30 points, six rebounds, and four assists on 12 of 19 shooting; Paolo Banchero added 19 points with eight rebounds and nine assists, while Wendell Carter Jr. chipped in with 16 points on six of eight shooting. As a team, the Magic shot 45 percent from the field and 15 of 37 from the 3-point line as they played stingy defense in the first half, opening up a 19-point lead, but that all changed in the second half, where the Magic got outscored by 70-55 to suffer one of their more disappointing losses of the season.
Why the Orlando Magic will win
- The Magic have won each of their last six home games against the Pistons.
- The Pistons have lost 10 of their last 11 road games following an overtime win.
- The Magic have covered the spread in each of their last five home games against the Pistons.
- The Pistons have failed to cover the spread in each of their last four road games against Magic teams that held a winning record.
Why the Detroit Pistons will win
- The Magic have lost each of their last seven games when playing with a rest advantage.
- The Pistons have won each of their last seven road games when playing with a rest disadvantage.
- The Magic have failed to cover the spread in each of their last eight games when playing with a rest advantage.
- The road team has covered the spread in each of the Pistons’ last seven games.
Total Points: Facts
- Each of the Magic’s last four home games against the Pistons following a home loss has gone OVER the total points line.
- Five of the Pistons’ last six road games against Southeast Division opponents have gone OVER the total points line.
Orlando Magic Player Facts
- Desmond Bane ranks 1st in the Eastern Conference amongst qualified players for FT% (91.4) this season.
- Paolo Banchero is one of only four qualified players in the league to be leading their team in points (21.7), rebounds (8.5) and assists (5.1) per game this season.
Detroit Pistons Player Facts
- Cade Cunningham has recorded 52 games with 4+ assists this season—most of any player in the league.
- Jalen Duren has recorded the most field goal attempts without a three-point attempt (549) of any player in the league this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Magic rank 1st in the league for opponent three-point field goal attempts per game this season (33.0).
- The Magic rank 1st in the league for free throws made per game this season (21.2).
- The Pistons rank 1st in the league for opponent assists per game this season (23.4).
- The Pistons rank 1st in the league for steals per game this season (10.6).
Magic vs Pistons Prediction
The Pistons are coming in with a full squad minus the suspended Isaiah Stewart, while the Magic have ruled out Franz Wagner once again. The Pistons head into this contest as one of the hottest teams in the league and they would’ve taken so much confidence from their overtime win on Friday, while the Magic were in great form before they got stopped in their tracks by the Rockets on Thursday. The Pistons were always going to be road favorites in this one, but I actually thought the line would be higher given how hot they’ve been lately. The Magic were good enough to beat the Pistons by 112-109 back on Nov 28 but I expect the Pistons to get some revenge with a comfortable win and cover in this one.