Orlando Magic vs. Detroit Pistons Odds, Picks & Predictions - Game 5
The first round of the NBA playoffs continue with an Eastern Conference battle as the eighth-seeded Orlando Magic take on the top-seeded Detroit Pistons Wednesday night. It’s Game 5 of the best-of-seven series and we have you covered with our Magic vs. Pistons prediction. Orlando picked up a 112-101 road win in an upset Sunday in the series opener for a 1-0 series edge. The Magic won that matchup outright as an 8.5-point underdog. Detroit evened the series with a 98-83 home win in Game 2 last Wednesday, covering as an 8.5-point favorite.
In Game 3 in Orlando, the Magic rebounded with a 113-105 home win in Game 3 Saturday, winning outright as a 1.5-point underdog. That was followed by an ugly 94-88 home win in Game 4 Monday night, again winning outright as a 3.5-point favorite. Orlando now owns a 3-1 series advantage and the Pistons are on the brink of elimination.
In the all-time playoff meetings between the teams, the Pistons own a 13-10 edge in head-to-head victories. Detroit has won three of the four previous postseason series between the teams. Let’s break down this Magic vs. Pistons matchup.
Magic Seeking to Advance to East Semifinals
It was less than two weeks ago when Orlando faced Charlotte in the play-in tournament just to get the 8-seed. Fast forward and the Magic now own a 3-1 lead over the top-seeded Pistons after sweeping Games 3 and 4 at home. In Game 4, Orlando led by 12 less than four minutes into the game but trailed by one after the opening quarter. The Magic trailed by 10 in the second quarter but led by two at the half. With 5:24 remaining, the game was tied at 85 but Orlando closed the game on a 9-3 run to earn the win. Desmond Bane led the Magic with 22 points in the win.
The Magic enter this game 14th in the league in scoring offense during the postseason as they average 100.5 points per game. Orlando is tied for 2nd in the league in rebounding with 46.8 rebounds per contest. They are 16th in assists by dishing 20 dimes a night. The Magic are 1st in the league in scoring defense by allowing 98 points per contest. Paolo Banchero leads the Magic as he averages 21 points plus 8.8 rebounds and 6.3 assists a night in the postseason. Franz Wagner adds 16.8 points, 5.5 rebounds and 3.5 dimes per contest. Desmond Bane (19 points) is a good third option.
Orlando is 16th in the league in field goal percentage as they shot 38.7% from the field this postseason. The Magic stand 11th in the league in threes per game as they hit 10.5 triples a night. Meanwhile, they are tied for 13th in three-point shooting by hitting 31.3% from beyond the arc. Orlando is below average at the charity stripe as they are 12th in the league by sinking 74.6% of their attempts as a team.
Key Injury Report for Magic:
- Forward Jonathan Isaac (knee) is doubtful.
- Forward Franz Wagner (calf) is questionable.
Pistons Trying to Stave Off Elimination
Detroit won 60 games in the regular season but an inability to close things late has put them in an unfavorable position. The Pistons now have to win three straight games in order to advance or their season comes to an end. Detroit trailed by 12 early in Game 4, led by 10 in the second quarter and trailed by a pair at the half. The Pistons got even several times in the second half, the last at 85 with 5:24 to play, but never led. They went cold late and it cost them the game. Cade Cunningham led the Pistons with 25 points, nine rebounds and six assists in the loss. Detroit was hurt by 20 turnovers, which led to 23 Orlando points.
In the postseason, the Pistons are 16th in the league in scoring offense as they average 98 points a game. Detroit is even for 2nd in rebounding with an average of 46.8 boards per contest. They are 13th in assists by dishing out 20.8 dimes a night. The Pistons are 3rd in the league in scoring defense as they give up an average of 100.5 points per contest. Cade Cunningham leads the way offensively for the Pistons with 29.5 points, 6.5 rebounds and 7.5 assists per game. Tobias Harris contributes 19 points plus 7.5 rebounds a night as a secondary scoring option.
Detroit is 13th in the league in field goal percentage as they shoot 41.9% from the floor. The Pistons are 16th in the league in threes per game as they hit 8.3 triples per contest. They are 16th in three-point percentage as they connect on 27.5% of their attempts from beyond the arc. Detroit is below average at the charity stripe, ranking 14th by shooting 72.8% at the line.
Key Injury Report for Pistons:
- Kevin Huerter (hip) is questionable.
10 x $100 bet match Magic vs. Pistons Prediction
Detroit has their backs to the wall here as a loss ends their season. The Pistons have been in this situation with the Magic before as they rallied to win in the 2003-04 playoffs. Jalen Duren has to show up for the Pistons like he did in the regular season. He has put up just 9.8 points and 8.3 rebounds a game in the series. In addition, he’s been outplayed by Wendell Carter Jr. in the series. Still, our favorite play in this one isn’t tackling a side but the total. These teams have been excellent defensively and ghastly shooting on the offensive end of the floor. Expecting a run and gun game here makes no sense. Take the under in this contest as a result.
Our Prediction: Under 211.5 (DraftKings, -108)
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