Magic vs Pistons Odds and Picks

• The Orlando Magic and Detroit Pistons matchup in the only NBA game on Thursday night
• They are the bottom two teams in the Eastern Conference standings, but Orlando is narrow favorites
• Read below for the latest Magic vs Pistons odds and best bets

The Detroit Pistons and Orlando Magic meet in South Florida on Thursday, March, 17th. Orlando is favored by a handful of points for this contest between the two teams with the worst records in the Eastern Conference.

There are signs of hope for both franchises, though, with the Magic enjoying good play from several of their young talents, and the Pistons witnessing Cade Cunningham become accustomed to the NBA.

On the back of a blowout at the hands of Kyrie Irving and the Nets, Orlando has lost four of six. They are just 12-21 against the spread at home this season, the second worst mark in the Association. While Detroit has just seven road wins all season, the team from Motor City are 17-17-1 against the spread away from home.

Magic vs Pistons Odds

Odds as of Mar 17 at BetMGM

Cade Cunningham’s squad are three-point road underdogs in this one, as the Rookie of the Year odds contender looks to lead his team to an upset win.

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Injury Report

Jonathan Isaac has been ruled out for the remainder of the season, but that doesn’t change much for the Magic. Jalen Suggs is dealing with an ankle issue which will keep him out of Thursday’s contest, opening up more minutes for Markelle Fultz in the backcourt.

Wendell Carter Jr, who is enjoying an impressive first full season with the Magic, is questionable due to a sprained left ankle. Chuma Okeke has a left knee contusion which earns him the same injury status.

CADE CUNNINGHAM CROSS + DIME. 🔥🔥

pic.twitter.com/EYMaECAXsL

— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) March 10, 2022

Frank Jackson, Hamidou Diallo and Jerami Grant are confirmed absentees for the Pistons. Rodney McGruder’s hamstring could sideline him here, too. The most important injury news is about Cade Cunningham, however, with the 2021 first overall pick listed as questionable due to an illness. Cunningham missed the loss to Miami last time out – he had played in every game since February 10th.

Absentees Prove Key

This is the fourth and final meeting between the teams this season. Detroit holds a 2-1 lead, though the Magic won by 16 and held Cunningham to eight points on 17 shots when the teams last met in January. Cunningham might have struggled in this matchup previously, but his availability is still a huge factor for bettors to consider. Detroit is 3.9 points better per 100 possessions with the Rookie of the Year candidate on the court.

It’s a shame to see Suggs sitting out again, and Okeke will be a miss. Carter is the biggest concern for the Magic, however. He’s averaging 19 and 11.5 since the break, and the team is 8.2 points per 100 possessions better with him on the floor. There’s sufficient depth on the roster to compensate, with Mo Bamba able to slide to the five, but the Magic are a considerably less effective team at both ends without the former Bull.

Wendell Carter tonight:

25 PTS
12 REB
4 AST

Influx of youth in Orlando. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/6zWAfWJ6io

— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) February 15, 2022

Both teams have put in some solid performances since the break. They have still lost more than they’ve won, but Detroit has been more competitive, and Orlando’s defense has been solid until the humiliating loss to the Nets. The Magic still ranks seventh in defensive rating since All-Star despite giving up 150 to Irving and co.

Orlando Has Enough to Win

The Magic have a deeper, more talented roster than the Pistons. Cunningham is the best player across the two teams, but even if he is available, the Orlando defense has shown it can make it difficult for him. Jamahl Mosley will hope the loss to Brooklyn was just a poor night on the defensive end on the back of some good defensive performances against top-tier teams.

It’s worth noting that the Magic are 4-1 against the spread as favorites, too. They obviously have spent most of the season as underdogs, but they have generally performed well when facing inferior opponents.

All of Orlando’s wins since the All-Star break have been by more than four points. The Pistons have lost by over 3.5 or more in each of their last four. Take the home team to cover here.

Pick: Magic -3.5 (-110)