The Orlando Magic continue to struggle to get over the hump and score a win. A chance against the struggling Detroit Pistons could reverse some of their fortunes.
Orlando Magic (7-32) at Detroit Pistons (7-30)
Time/TV: 7 p.m./Bally Sports Florida
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Line via WynnBet: Pistons by 2
Tickets: $19-$536 on StubHub
2022 Season Series: Pistons 110, Magic 103 in Detroit on Oct. 30; Tonight in Detroit; Jan. 28 in Orlando; March 17 in Orlando
| Pace | Off. Rtg. | Def. Rtg. | eFG% | O.Reb.% | TO% | FTR | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Orlando | 98.7 | 103.0 | 112.7 | 49.4 | 26.7 | 15.1 | 22.6 |
| Detroit | 99.6 | 101.0 | 110.8 | 47.8 | 26.4 | 15.4 | 24.7 |
OMD Prediction
The Orlando Magic need a win. They have been knocking on the door for a while. They know it. They know it is the last four or five minutes or a little lull here and there that is costing them at the moment. They need the time to work and improve in these close games especially.
Doing what they have done against playoff-caliber teams in the Boston Celtics, Chicago Bulls and Philadelphia 76ers certainly should boost confidence. At some point, the team needs to show its growth. Even if it has to come against a struggling Detroit Pistons team.
There is at least some tanking intrigue that comes with this game. These are the two teams with the worst records in the league. But the Magic need a win. And if Cole Anthony, Wendell Carter and Franz Wagner are playing, they should have every chance to do so.
3 Keys To Watch
The Cole Difference
The biggest factor in this game will likely be who is available for the Orlando Magic. Cole Anthony (sprained left ankle), Franz Wagner (sprained left ankle) and Wendell Carter (sore left hamstring) are all QUESTIONABLE for the game. The Magic are simply better when all three are in the game — a +2.3 net rating when all three share the floor.
Anthony has had the biggest split of all. And when he enters the game, the Magic’s offense gets an extreme lift. Orlando has a 108.4 offensive rating when Anthony is on the floor and 97.5 when he is off the floor. In fact, the Magic’s three worst offensive ratings come with any of their trio of Cole Anthony, Wendell Carter and Franz Wagner off the floor.
To say the least, it is hard for this team to win when Anthony is not out there. And the team loses some bounce to it when Anthony is not out there.
Pistons plunge
The Detroit Pistons scored a big win earlier this week when they beat the Milwaukee Bucks 115-106. Since then? They lost 140-111 to the offense-happy Charlotte Hornets and then lost 118-88 to the streaking Memphis Grizzlies. That sent the Pistons from elated to frustrated and embarrassed.
Detroit should have plenty of motivation to play better. The Pistons should feel like the Magic are an opportunity to right the ship just as much as the Magic view it as such.
The Pistons are doing some good things just like the Magic even through all the losses. Detroit won back-to-back games capped off with that win over Milwaukee. But the Pistons have just three wins in their last 23 outings. In fairness, the Magic are at three wins in their last 24 games.
Rookie of the Year Battle
Cole Anthony is always good for a quote. After Franz Wagner took home the Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month in December, Cole Anthony declared Wagner’s new nickname would be “ROY” and that he was going to speak the award into existence.
Why not? Wagner leads all rookies in scoring with 15.8 points per game while shooting a 50.4-percent effective field goal percentage. That is really good for a rookie. And he of course stepped his game up in December. Wagner is getting some real Rookie of the Year buzz.
Cade Cunningham is no slouch though. He has started to pick up his play too. Cunningham is averaging 15.3 points per game and 5.4 assists per game with a 46.0-percent effective field goal percentage.
He is getting his chance to make mistakes, but Cunningham is putting up some really strong games. The Magic will have to cut the head off the snake (especially with Jerami Grant out) to have a chance.