Detroit Pistons vs. Orlando Magic Predictions, Picks, Odds

Michael Crosson Sports Betting Expert

4 minute read

Nationally televised NBA action will resume on Thursday night with a matchup between Eastern Conference bottom dwellers, as the Detroit Pistons will take on the Orlando Magic. Coverage begins from Amway Center at 7:00 p.m. ET on NBA TV.

Score Prediction

Pistons 115, Magic 109

Best Bets

Pistons +2.5 (-110) DraftKings

Pistons vs. Magic Predictions

After finishing dead last in the East with a record of 20-52 SU last year, Detroit initially kept that same ball rolling with another miserable start to this season, as the Pistons opened with a pathetic 5-28 SU and 15-18 ATS skid – while scoring just 100.2 OPPG and allowing 110.3 DPPG during that timeframe.

Detroit has played relatively decent basketball since New Year’s Day though, considering the Pistons boast records of 13-23 SU and 22-14 ATS stretch – while generating 106.5 SU and allowing 114.4 DPPG across that window.

On the other hand, Orlando stumbled out to a similarly disappointing start to the season, as the Magic kicked things off with a rocky 8-39 SU and 20-27 ATS skid – while scoring just 101.8 OPPG and surrendering 110.9 DPPG across that span.

The Magic gradually rose to mediocrity throughout January though, considering Orlando enters Thursday riding a surprisingly solid 10-13 SU and 13-10 ATS stretch – while tallying 109.2 OPPG and allowing 114.8 DPPG during that timeframe.

I’ll back Detroit here, as the Pistons are 6-6 SU and 11-1 ATS in their last 12 games, while scoring 108.7 OPPG and surrendering 110.8 DPPG during that span – likely presenting an uphill battle for a Magic squad that’s allowing 116.7 OPPG across their latest 5-9 SU skid.

Pistons vs. Magic Betting Odds

More Odds | Futures Odds

Pistons vs. Magic Betting Resources

• Matchup: Central vs. Southeast
• Date: Thursday, March 17, 2022
• Venue: Amway Center
• Location: Orlando, FL
• TV-Time: NBA TV - 7:00 p.m. ET
• Injury Report

Detroit Pistons Betting Analysis

• SU: 18-51
• ATS: 37-32
• O/U: 32-34-3

After last year’s miserable 20-52 SU finish, Detroit briefly kept the disappointment train rolling with another lackluster start to this season, as the Pistons opened with SU losses in 28 of 33 games – with 15 of those losses coming by 10+ PTS.

Detroit has been excellent against the spread since mid-January though, considering the Pistons enter Thursday riding an impressive 22-14 ATS run – despite sitting just 13-23 SU across that timeframe.

Orlando Magic Betting Analysis

• SU: 18-52
• ATS: 33-37
• O/U: 35-34-1

After finishing 14^th in the East with a record of 21-51 SU last year, Orlando stumbled out to a similarly poor start to this season, as the Magic posted SU losses in 39 of 47 games out of the gate – with 21 of those losses coming by double-digits.

The Magic have played decent basketball since mid-January though, considering Orlando enters Thursday’s contest riding a relatively pedestrian 10-13 SU and 13-10 ATS stretch – which includes tough SU victories over the Bulls, Mavericks, Wolves, and Pelicans.

Pistons vs. Magic Head-to-Head

The Magic won two-of-three regular-season matchups against Detroit last year, with the first two matchups staying under the total at an average of 199.5 PPG – while the third soared over with a score of 119-112 (O 210.5). The Pistons are 2-1 SU against Orlando this season though, with the first two matchups staying under the number at an average 201 PPG – while their latest meeting went over with a score of 119-103 (O 216).

Key Players to Watch

• DET: Jerami Grant - PF (19 PPG, 4.1 REB, 2.4 AST)
• DET: Cade Cunningham - PG (16.9 PPG, 5.9 REB, 5.3 AST)
• ORL: Cole Anthony - PG (17.3 PPG, 5.6 REB, 5.7 AST)
• ORL: Franz Wagner - SF (15.3 PPG, 4.6 REB, 2.9 AST)

Pistons vs. Magic Betting Conclusion

After posting back-to-back home losses against the Sixers and Nets, the Pistons hit the road for Thursday’s contest as short underdogs against the Magic at Amway Center – marking the 32^nd straight game Detroit has been an underdog in.

I’ll back Detroit here, as the Magic are 5-9 SU and 8-6 ATS in their last 14 games, while tallying just 108.7 OPPG and surrendering 116.5 DPPG during that span – setting the stage for another unfavorable matchup against a Pistons squad that’s allowing 109.6 OPPG across their latest 7-1 ATS run.

Pistons vs. Magic Betting Trends

• The Pistons are 6-0-1 ATS in their last seven games.
• The total has gone UNDER in six of the last seven Pistons' games.
• The Magic are 3-7 ATS in their last ten matchups against Detroit.
• The Magic are 4-1 ATS in their last five games.
• The total has gone UNDER in five of the last seven Magic' games.

Michael Crosson

Michael Crosson began his time at VegasInsider as a freelance NBA writer back in 2019 while he continued to study Psychology and Biology at James Madison University. Following his graduation in 2021, Michael joined the team full-time, and he's been with VI ever since. Michael still writes NBA, NFL, and MLB for VI, as well as gambling industry news. He's also become a crucial part of our editorial production team. More from Michael Crosson