Detroit Pistons vs. Orlando Magic Prediction, Preview, and Odds
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A pair of Eastern Conference teams in different situations as we head toward the holidays meet on the hardwood in the Sunshine State. The Detroit Pistons are on the road as they travel to take on the Orlando Magic Friday night. Detroit was downed 116-102 at home by Memphis in their previous contest Wednesday night, failing to cover the line as a 1.5-point underdog. Orlando was dropped 121-111 on the road by Cleveland Wednesday night, failing to cover the line as a 4.5-point underdog, in their previous game. In the all-time regular season series between the teams, the Pistons own a 70-53 advantage but the Magic have won the last two meetings, including a 128-102 home win in the most recent matchup on April 2, 2023.
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Detroit Pistons Simply Looking for a Win
Detroit suffered an 18 consecutive defeat as they were beaten at home by a banged-up Memphis squad in their previous contest Wednesday night. The Pistons fell to 2-19 on the season and sit in the basement of the Central Division, 13 games behind the Bucks for the top spot, entering Thursday. They are 7.5 games behind the Hawks for the final spot in the play-in tournament. Against Memphis, Detroit trailed by two after the opening quarter, led by four at the half and held a two-point edge after three quarters. The Pistons gave up a 19-4 run to start the fourth quarter, leaving them down 101-88 with 5:15 to go, and never made a charge after that en route to the defeat. Detroit shot 45.1% from the field, including 11 of 35 from three-point range, and allowed Memphis to shoot 51.6% in the game. Bojan Bogdanovic led the Pistons with 22 points, four rebounds and seven assists in the loss.
On the year, the Pistons are 27 in the league in scoring offense as they average 108.8 points a game. Detroit is 8 in rebounding with an average of 45.3 boards per contest and 8 in assists by dishing out 26.5 dimes a night. The Pistons are 23 in the league in scoring defense as they give up an average of 118 points per contest. Cade Cunningham leads the way offensively for the Pistons with 22 points plus 7.4 assists per game. Bojan Bogdanovic (22 points), Jalen Duren (12.6 points, 10.9 rebounds), Alec Burks (10.2 points), Isaiah Stewart (11 points, 7.1 boards) and Marvin Bagley III (9.8 points, 4.8 rebounds) have been decent secondary options. Jaden Ivey, Killian Hayes, Ausar Thompson (10.4 points), Marcus Sasser and Joe Harris are looked at to be contributors for coach Monty Williams. Detroit is 22 in the league in field goal percentage as they shoot 46.2% from the floor as a team. The Pistons are 28 in the league in threes per game as they hit 10.4 triples per contest while they are 24 in three-point percentage as they connect on 34.6% of their attempts from beyond the arc.
Monte Morris (quad) remains out and is expected to be out until sometime in January. Harris (shoulder) is projected to be out until mid-December while Duren (ankle) is questionable for this contest. Watch for any updates on his status leading into this game.
Orlando Magic Hoping to Bounce Back
Orlando dropped their second straight after a nine-game win streak as they were dropped by Cleveland on the road in their previous contest. The Magic fell to 14-7 on the season and held a two-game lead over the Heat for the top spot in the Southeast Division entering Thursday night. Against Cleveland, Orlando started slow, trailing 37-20 after the opening quarter and never recovered. The Magic trailed by as many as 23 in the second quarter, by 13 at the half and got no closer than five in the second half as they went down with the loss. Orlando shot 48.8% from the floor, including a dismal two of 23 from three-point range, and lost the rebounding battle 45-36. Paolo Banchero led the Magic with 42 points in the loss.
The Magic enter this game 14 in the league in scoring offense as they average 114.1 points per game on the season. Orlando is 20 in the league in rebounding with 43.5 rebounds per contest while they are 20 in assists by dishing 25.5 dimes a night. The Magic are 7 in the league in scoring defense by allowing 110.5 points per contest. Paolo Banchero is leading the Magic as he averages 19.4 points plus 6.4 rebounds and 4.3 assists a night on the season. Cole Anthony contributes 13.9 points, 4.6 rebounds plus 3.3 assists a game while Franz Wagner chips in 19 points, 5.3 rebounds and 3.1 dimes a contest. Wendell Carter Jr. (9.4 points, 8.6 rebounds), Jalen Suggs (12.6 points, 2.9 assists) and Moritz Wagner (11.7 points, 4.3 rebounds) are solid contributors. Gary Harris (8.9 points), Markelle Fultz (11.4 points, 4.3 assists), Jonathan Isaac, Caleb Houstan, Joe Ingles, Chuma Okeke, Goga Bitadze and Anthony Black all have to contribute for the Magic. Orlando is 11 in the league in field goal percentage as they shoot 47.5% from the field on the year. The Magic is 29 in the league in threes per game as they hit 10.2 triples a night while they are 25 in three-point shooting by hitting 34.4% from beyond the arc.
Carter (hand) was injured November 2 against the Jazz and underwent surgery. He is likely out until late December. Fultz (knee) last played on November 9 and is out indefinitely. Isaac (ankle) and Suggs (ankle) are both questionable for this contest.
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Best Bets for this Game
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The Pistons are a train wreck wrapped in a dumpster fire with a nice coating of Three Mile Island mixed in at this point. Eighteen straight losses have piled up as the Pistons’ last victory came back on October 28 against the Bulls. Going on the road against the Magic here isn’t a good matchup for them as their lone road win came against Charlotte back on October 26. Orlando has dropped two straight after a nine-game win streak but they are taking on a team that has had issues all season long. The Magic is 9-2 at home this season while the Pistons are only 1-9 on the road entering this game. Orlando should take care of business here and get back in the win column.
Prediction: Orlando Magic -10.5
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Detroit enters this game having stayed gone over the total in 12 of their 21 games this season. The Pistons stayed under the road in both their road games so far this season. Detroit is second to last in the league in turnovers per game (17.1) and stand 10th in tempo with an average of 100.1 possessions per contest. Orlando has stayed gone over the number in 12 of their 21 games entering this action. The Magic is 26th in turnovers per game with 15.5 per contest while they are an above average team in terms of tempo, ranking 6th in pace with 100.5 possessions per game. Four of the last six meetings have wound up over the number and with both teams known to turn the ball over, this game winds up edging over the mark.
Prediction: Over 228
Chris King has been immersed in the world of professional and collegiate sports for more than three decades. Whether it's playing pickup games or being involved in organized sports to being a fan, he's checked all the boxes. From the NFL to arena football, the NHL to the KHL, the NBA to the WNBA to college hoops, and even MLB to the KBO. If it's out there, he's covered it and bet on it as well, as Chris has been an expert bettor in his career. Before joining Winners and Whiners back in 2015, his work appeared around the internet and in print. He's written books for Ruckus Books about college basketball, the NBA, NFL, MLB, NHL, golf, and the World Cup. If you're looking for the inside track on hitting a winner, do yourself a favor and read what Chris has to say.
