The Eastern Conference top seed, the Detroit Pistons, knotted up their series against the Orlando Magic with a convincing victory on Wednesday night. Now the series shifts to the Kia Center for Game 3 on Saturday afternoon.
Pistons at Magic Game 3: Preview, Prediction, Odds and DFS Plays
After a flat performance in Game 1 of this Eastern Conference Quarterfinal matchup, Detroit convincingly defeated Orlando with a 98-83 victory on Wednesday night. Cade Cunningham led six Pistons in double-figures, all five starters, with 27 points and 11 assists for his fifth double-double in eight career games. With the win, the Pistons snapped an NBA record 11-game losing streak.
Detroit was fantastic defensively in Game 2. The Pistons shot 33% from the field and 25% from the 3-point line (8 of 32). The Pistons forced the Magic into 17 turnovers and blocked 11 shots while winning the rebound battle (57-42).
“It’s a special group,” Tobias Harris said about the Pistons defense on Wednesday. When you’ve got guys like AT [Ausar Thompson], his impact on the defensive end, Stew [Isaiah Stewart] comes in, and he’s impacting the entire arena through his hustle plays and blocks. Those are momentum-shifters in basketball.”
Still, there are concerns for the Pistons going into Game 3. The Pistons were outscored 21-14 in the fourth in Game 2, meaning that the Magic have outscored them 52-41 in the final stanza in the series. The Pistons also only connected on 6 of 26 three-pointers (23%) and 14 of 24 from the charity stripe (58%). Additionally, they committed 22 turnovers, while the Magic recorded 17 steals, resulting in 19 fastbreak points for Orlando.
Game 3 projects to be very important in the series for two franchises that have not won a playoff series in a decade. Detroit has not won a playoff series in 18 years, while Orlando hasn’t advanced to the second round in 16 seasons.
Series Stats
Detroit averages 99.5 points on 43.2% shooting from the field through the first two games. The Pistons are making an NBA-playoff-low 8 threes a game at a 27.3% clip and are only connecting on 69.4% of their free throws on 31 attempts. The Pistons are grabbing 48.5 rebounds (11.5 offensive), 20.5 assists, and 18.5 turnovers.
Cunningham leads the way for the Pistons offensively, averaging 33.0 points, 7.5 assists, and 5.5 rebounds with shooting splits of 52.2/28.6/73.7. Harris is the only other player in double-figures with 16.5 points a game while topping the team with 8.5 boards.
Orlando averages 97.5 points on 41.2% shooting. The Magic have made 9.0 threes on 27.3% shooting from deep. The Magic are shooting 72.5% from the free-throw line on 25.5 attempts while grabbing 43.5 rebounds (12.0 offensive). Meanwhile, they have recorded 21.5 assists and 15.5 turnovers.
Paolo Banchero is leading the Magic offensively with 20.5 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 6.0 assists. Jalen Suggs (17.5 points, 3.0 threes, 4.0 assists), Franz Wagner (15.5 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 3.0 steals), Desmond Bane ( 14.5 points and 5.0 rebounds), and Wendell Carter Jr. (10.0 points and 6.0 rebounds).
Game Odds
Spread: Pistons -2.5
Over/Under: 213.5
Money Line: Pistons -142, Magic +120
Prediction
Expect another physical and sloppy defensive game today. Both teams enter the game healthy, with the Magic’s Jonathan Isaac the only player on the injury report. Isaac, doubtful to play due to a left knee strain, has been out since March 12.
Detroit and Orlando have split their six games this year. The Pistons have outscored the Magic by an average score of 108-106. So, expect this game to score slightly higher than the first two, as the teams should be able to protect the ball better. Still, under 213.5 points is the favorite play.
Overall, I have the Pistons as a 6.5-point favorite with a point total of 212 to 213.
Best Bet: Under 213.5 points
Other Bets: Pistons (ML) with a slight lean of the Pistons -2.5.
Cade Cunningham Over 27.5 points
Jalen Suggs Over 2.5 three-pointers
DFS Plays
Must Plays
Cade Cunningham
Paolo Banchero
Franz Wagner
Jalen Suggs
Value Considerations
Tobias Harris
Goga Bitadze
© Rick Osentoski, Imagn Images
