Detroit Pistons vs. Orlando Magic Predictions

Detroit Pistons (18-51 SU, 36-31-2 ATS) vs. Orlando Magic (18-52 SU, 33-37-0 ATS)
When: Thursday March 17 2022, 07:00 PM (ET)
Where: Amway Center, Orlando, Florida
TV: BSDET

Point Spread: DET +4/ORL -4 (Opened ORL -4 at Bovada)
Total: 219 (Opened at 219)
Money Line: Detroit Pistons 140/Orlando Magic -168
Power Rating: ORL -5

Probable Starting Lineups

Detroit Pistons PG Cory Joseph, SG Cade Cunningham Q, SF Saddiq Bey, PF Isaiah Livers, C Isaiah Stewart
Orlando Magic PG Cole Anthony, SG R.J. Hampton, SF Franz Wagner, PF Wendell Carter Jr. Q, C Mo Bamba

Key Injuries

Detroit Pistons Jerami Grant: Knee (OUT) Frank Jackson: Back (OUT) Hamidou Diallo: Finger (OUT) Rodney McGruder: Hamstring (QUESTIONABLE) Chris Smith: Knee (QUESTIONABLE) Cade Cunningham: Illness (QUESTIONABLE)

Orlando Magic Chuma Okeke: Knee (QUESTIONABLE) Wendell Carter Jr.: Ankle (QUESTIONABLE) Jalen Suggs: Ankle (OUT) Jonathan Isaac: Knee (OUT) Bol Bol: Foot (OUT)

The Orlando Magic host the Detroit Pistons in a Eastern-Conference matchup. Tip-off is set for 07:00 PM ET at the Amway Center.

Recent Form

The Detroit Pistons come into this game with an overall record of 18-51, placing them 14th in the Eastern Conference. Throughout the season, Detroit has struggled in their 35 road contests, sitting at 7-28. Over the Pistons’ last five games, they have picked up just 1 win. During this stretch, Detroit’s offense is scoring right in line with their season average, putting up 105.0 points per game. Combined, the Pistons’ last five opponents are giving up 108.0 points per contest. In this recent cold stretch, the Pistons are allowing an average of 110.0 points per game, similar to their usual rate of 112.3. In the Detroit Pistons’ most recent game, the team fell to Miami by a score of 105-98.

The Orlando Magic come into this game with an overall record of 18-52, placing them 15th in the Eastern Conference. Throughout the season, Orlando has struggled in their 33 home contests, sitting at 8-25. Over the Magic’s last five games, they have picked up just 2 wins. During this stretch, Orlando is averaging 109.0 points per game, 5.0 points more than their season average of 104.2. This uptick in offensive play has come while playing a group of opponents who are collectively giving up 109.0 points per contest. A key reason for the Magic’s recent struggles is a defensive unit giving up 116.0 points over their last five contests. This figure is up from their season average of 112.2. In the Orlando Magic’s most recent game, the team fell to Brooklyn by a score of 150-108.

Individual Player Analysis

As Detroit travels to take on the Orlando Magic, the Pistons’ leading scorer is Jerami Grant. Through 43 games, Grant is averaging 19 points. On the season, he has surpassed his season average in 51.0% of his games. As Grant gets set to take on the Magic, he could be in line for a big game as Orlando is allowing their opponent’s top scorer to surpass their season average in 57.41% of their games. This figure places them 29th among NBA defenses. On the other side, Cole Anthony leads the Magic in scoring, averaging 17 points across his 62 games. Throughout the season, Anthony has outscored his season average in 42.0% of his outings. However, if he hopes to add to this total, Anthony will need to do so against a Pistons defense that has been tough on their opponent’s top scorers. So far, leading scores have surpassed their season average at a rate of just 38.46%. This figure is good for a rank of 3rd in the league.

Matchup Analysis

The Magic come into this game as the more efficient offensive team, averaging 101.4 points per 100 possessions. When playing as the superior offensive unit, Orlando is winning at a rate of 100%. These wins are coming by an average margin of 16.0 points. On the other side, the Pistons hold the advantage on the defensive end of the floor. So far, they have played 7 games as the better defensive team, picking up 2 wins.

The Historicals

Heading into today’s matchup, the Detroit Pistons and Orlando Magic have met up for 3 games. In their last meeting, Orlando picked up a 119-103 win.

How the Public is Betting the Pistons vs Magic

67% are betting the Magic against the spread.
52% are wagering on the game to go over the posted total of 219.0

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Betting Trends Worth Noting

Pistons are 6-0 ATS in their last 6 games as a road underdog. Pistons are 11-1 ATS in their last 12 games overall. Magic are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game. Magic are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games overall.

Joe’s Pick to Cover the Spread

Heading into tonight’s game, both the Detroit Pistons and Orlando Magic look to snap losing streaks. The Pistons take the road, hoping to avoid their 5th straight loss while the Pistons are on a two-game skid. Between the two units, Detroit has been better vs the spread, posting a record of 36-31-1. This includes a .500 ATS mark on the road. Look for this trend to continue, as I see the Pistons keeping this game within the 5 point spread. Statistically, it is hard to find an area where either team excels. However, the Pistons have shown the ability to force turnovers and get to the free-throw line.