The Orlando Magic (18-43), who are currently riding a seven-game losing streak, will attempt to get back in the win column when they welcome the Detroit Pistons (29-32) to Amway Center. The game’s Over/Under (O/U) opened at 212.5 points with Detroit set as a 3-point favorite. Action starts at 7 p.m. ET on Friday, March 2, 2018, and it can be seen on Fox SportsNet Florida.
Detroit Pistons at Orlando Magic Odds Preview
The Pistons easily got past the Milwaukee Bucks in their last outing, 110-87. With 15 points and 16 rebounds, Andre Drummond had a good outing for Detroit. Detroit played a nearly flawless game. They had an extraordinary offensive rebounding percentage of 43.1 (above their season average of 22.5) and a turnover percentage of 7.9 (better than their season average of 12.1). For those same stats, Milwaukee recorded marks of 14.6 and 13.2, respectively.
The last time the Magic played, they were blown out by the Toronto Raptors, 117-104. With 11 points and 10 rebounds, Orlando’s Aaron Gordon had a good outing. Toronto had a better free throw rate (0.181 vs. 0.160). Orlando, meanwhile, held the Raptors to an offensive rebounding percentage of 17.1 (below their season average of 22.7).
It could be a mistake-prone game for the Orlando offense. Orlando ranks 17th in the NBA in ball protection (turnover percentage of 14.1 percent), while the ball-hawking defense of Detroit forces the sixth-most turnovers in the league (14.7 percent).
Of Detroit’s 61 games, 33 have finished under the O/U total, while 34 of Orlando’s 61 games have finished under the projected point total. The Pistons have the clear advantage straight up (SU) (29-32 vs. 18-43), but both teams have similar against the spread (ATS) records. Detroit is 27-32-2 ATS, while Orlando is 28-32-1 ATS.
Reggie Bullock has really been playing well over the last five games for Detroit, averaging 14.0 points per game.
These two teams have already met twice this season, each winning once. In the most recent game, Elfrid Payton had 19 points, eight rebounds and eight assists and the Magic, who were 4-point underdogs, beat the Pistons 102-89. The two teams combined to put up 191 points, which was 14.5 points below the projected point total of 205.5 points. The Magic played a nearly perfect game. They had a free throw rate of 0.207 and an offensive rebounding percentage of 22.0. For those same stats, the Pistons recorded marks of 0.115 and 18.8, respectively.
Detroit Pistons at Orlando Magic Betting Prediction
Free Prediction: SU Winner – Magic, ATS Winner – Magic, O/U – Under
Betting Notes:
- The Magic average 23.5 assists per game, which ranks 10th in the league. The Pistons rank 27th in assists allowed per game (24.7).
- Detroit ranks 18th in rebounds allowed per game (43.2) while Orlando ranks 26th (45.4).
- Detroit ranks fourth in points off turnovers allowed per game (14.6) while Orlando ranks 20th (17.3).
- Detroit ranks 17th in steals per game (7.6) while Orlando ranks 18th in steals allowed per game (7.8).
- Detroit is 14-13-1 ATS on the road with 16 unders, 11 overs and 1 push.
- Orlando is 11-18 ATS at home with 18 unders and 11 overs.
- Orlando is 9-3 when they hold opponents under 100 points, while Detroit is 15-6.
- The Pistons are 26-14 when they score above 100 points, while the Magic are 18-26.
- The Magic rank 14th in blocks per game (4.8) while the Pistons rank 29th (3.7).
- Detroit ranks 10th in points allowed in the paint per game (43.0) while Orlando ranks last (49.5).
- The Pistons rank third in second chance points allowed per game (10.9) while the Magic rank 21st (13.0).
- The Magic rank 14th in three pointers attempted per game (29.2) while the Pistons rank 18th in three pointers allowed per game (29.8).
- Detroit ranks second in fast break points allowed per game (9.1) while Orlando ranks 19th (12.1).
Bettings Trends:
- Orlando is 2-3 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs in their last five games.
- Over their last five games, Detroit is 1-4 ATS with 3 unders, 1 over and 1 push.
- The Magic’s average margin of defeat in their last five games has been 8.0, up from 4.6 for the season.
- During their last five games, the Pistons have scored an average of 100.8 points per game (2.4 below their season average) and allowed an average of 106.4 points per game (2.6 above their season average).
