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The Orlando Magic will play the Detroit Pistons in an Eastern Conference matchup on Saturday night. It's time continue our NBA odds series with a Magic-Pistons prediction and pick.
The Magic and Pistons will meet on Saturday in what will be a matchup between the worst two teams in the NBA to this point in the season. Orlando and Detroit have both struggled mightily with injuries to veterans and inexperienced play by their unproven young players. The Magic enter play in this one on a seven-game losing streak, while the Pistons have lost two straight and seven of ten. Detroit is a slim favorite at home over Orlando as of Saturday afternoon.
Here is how FanDuel has set the Magic-Pistons odds for this Saturday NBA matchup.
NBA Odds: Magic-Pistons Odds
Orlando Magic +2 (-108)
Detroit Pistons -2 (-112)
Over 212.5 (-110)
Under 212.5 (-110)
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Why The Magic Could Cover The Spread
Orlando will have a more fair fight in this game than they normally do. The Magic are missing most of their team still at this stage, and some of their better players who aren't injured or in health and safety protocols have issues as well. Franz Wagner is questionable for this one with a left ankle sprain, while Cole Anthony and Wendell Carter Jr. are also questionable with ankle injuries. The following Magic players will miss this one for sure: Markelle Fultz, Michael Carter-Williams, Jonathan Issac, Robin Lopez, Jalen Suggs and E'Twaun Moore. The Magic will face an uphill battle in any of Wagner, Carter Jr. and/or Anthony are unable to go.
Orlando vs. the spread
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The Magic are 17-23 against the spread this season, but 14-9 vs. the line as an away underdog. Orlando is 5-5 vs. the spread in their last ten games, and had covered in their last two before losing to the Philadelphia 76ers by double-digits on Wednesday.
Why The Pistons Could Cover The Spread
Cade Cunningham has been solid this season for Detroit after struggling pretty badly out of the gates. The issue is, Jerami Grant and Kelly Olynyk, potentially the Pistons' best two players for an actual NBA game at this moment, have not played very much with Cunningham at all this season. The Pistons have lost three of their last five as they continue to be struggling young team. They do play with effort, but they are just bad. This however is a good spot vs. a potentially even worse team in the Magic.
Detroit vs. the spread
The Pistons are 17-20 vs. the spread this season, and 4-6 in their last ten games. Detroit is 8-9 against the spread at home this season, and has covered just twice in their last six games overall, regardless of the location. This will be just the third time this season that the Pistons are favored on their home floor. We are nearly halfway through the regular season.
Final Magic-Pistons Prediction and Pick
Take the Pistons to cover and win over the Magic in this one, as Orlando is banged up. Detroit should be able to take advantage of the homecourt and beat an Orlando team that is 5-18 on the road this season.The Pistons are not much better at home (4-13) but they should be able to hang in this one vs. a bad Magic team and pull out the win down the stretch.
Final Magic-Pistons Prediction & Pick: Pistons -2 (-112)
