Orlando Magic at Detroit Pistons (Oct. 30, 2021): 3 Things To Watch, Odds and Prediction
The Orlando Magic appear set to get Chuma Okeke back in the lineup as they try to get over the hump and score their second win.
Orlando Magic (1-5) at Detroit Pistons (0-4)
Time/TV: 7 p.m./Bally Sports Florida
WATCH MAGIC-PISTONS ON FUBO TV
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Line: Pistons by 6.5
Tickets: $23-$593 on StubHub
2021 Season Series: Magic 105, Pistons 96 on Feb. 21 in Orlando; Pistons 105, Magic 93 on Feb. 23 in Orlando; Magic 119, Pistons 112 in Detroit on May 3
2022 Season Series: Tonight in Detroit; Jan. 8 in Detroit; Jan. 28 in Orlando; March 17 in Orlando
| Pace | Off. Rtg. | Def. Rtg. | eFG% | O.Reb.% | TO% | FTR | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Orlando | 98.3 | 103.9 | 116.3 | 51.0 | 28.7 | 17.3 | 23.4 |
| Detroit | 100.4 | 94.0 | 105.0 | 45.5 | 25.9 | 17.0 | 20.6 |
OMD Prediction
If winning is a progression for young teams and just something the team has to get over the hump with, the Orlando Magic sure feel close. The Magic played competitively into the fourth quarter with both the Charlotte Hornets and Toronto Raptors before their own mistakes — especially turnovers — cost them. Still, there was a lot to be encouraged with. The team’s effort and energy are right there. They just need that one little push to get over.
There are two things that could create that push. The first is the return of Chuma Okeke. Okeke is listed as PROBABLE for Saturday’s game and seems set to make his debut this season. The second is the Detroit Pistons are really struggling right now. They were expected to and they will pick somebody off for a win. And an equally poor Magic team on a back-to-back seems as good as any (with top-pick Cade Cunningham debuting too).
Orlando though is knocking on the door. The team seems to know it. And while it is not good it is taking several regular-season games to get all the pieces together, those pieces are coming together.
64. Prediction. 110. 38. 98
3 Keys To Watch
Chuma Okeke returns
The Orlando Magic are playing down three starter-level players right now. And while Jonathan Isaac and Markelle Fultz’s return still seem in the far-distance, getting Chuma Okeke back will help the team out a ton. The issues the Magic are facing right now are purely about depth.
The Magic’s starting lineup is the most efficient by net rating right now that has played at least 48 minutes together. Somehow despite this fact, the Magic have a -12.4 net rating. Orlando struggles when it breaks the lineup.
How much Chuma Okeke can help this team on that front is certainly a fair question. And Jamahl Mosley will have to manage how they integrate him back into the lineup. That part will not be easy. He is continuing to tinker with rotations trying to find a group that can maintain the team’s early successes — the team is getting closer there too.
Okeke averaged 7.8 points per game on a 49.2-percent effective field goal percentage. It was not the most impressive statistical output. But Okeke did a lot of really promising things. And coming off a full season after tearing his ACL, he is expected to take a nice leap forward. This is going to be fun.
Rookies battle
A lot of the narrative coming from Toronto after Friday’s loss to the Toronto Raptors was the Jalen Suggs/Scottie Barnes sliding doors. Fans were chanting “Scottie’s better” while Suggs was at the foul line late in the game. Suggs came back with a strong flurry to bring the Magic within one.
Suggs, for his part, seems like he is starting to find some comfort and break out of his early-season shooting slump. He scored 21 points on 6-for-14 shooting, including 4-for-8 shooting from deep, in the loss Friday night. He has scored in double figures in all but one game despite his poor shooting. For Suggs, it is really about limiting his turnovers. Because he is still a solid passer and a better-than-average defender for a young player.
Suggs will get another good matchup with a member of his draft class. Cade Cunningham is expected to make his professional debut after sitting out most of the preseason and the season so far with an ankle injury. Cunningham is as dynamic a player as they come. And it will be interesting to see how he impacts one of the worst offenses in the league.
Offense coming around?
The Orlando Magic are not a great offensive team. Everyone knows this team is going to struggle. And that seemed like the case early in the year. Orlando’s big defensive problems were all caused by their offense and the transition chances they were giving up when they bricked shots. Now, at least, it is just turnovers.
Orlando’s offense is starting to come around. The team’s effective field goal percentage has jumped above 50.0-percent. The Magic have two straight games shooting better than 47.0-percent from the floor (not a small feat after struggling to clear 40.0-percent in the first four games).
More interestingly, the team is shooting threes a whole lot better. The Magic are hitting 13.5 3-pointers per game and have 15.5 3-pointers per game in their last two games. The team is clearing 40 3-point attempts regularly now.
Next. Perfect can't be the enemy of good for Orlando Magic. dark
There is obviously more to this story. The team’s passing creating these 3-point attempts is more important than the raw number. But Orlando is finding its rhythm offensively and that is helping the team get a better chance to win.