Orlando Magic vs. Detroit Pistons (Jan. 28, 2022): 3 Things To Watch, Odds and Prediction
The Orlando Magic continue their homestand looking to bounce back against the Detroit Pistons in a battle of the two worst teams by record in the NBA.
Orlando Magic (9-40) vs. Detroit Pistons (11-36)
Time/TV: 7 p.m./Bally Sports Florida
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Line via WynnBet: Magic by 3
Tickets: $9-$439 on StubHub
2022 Season Series: Pistons 110, Magic 103 in Detroit on Oct. 30; Pistons 97, Magic 92 in Detroit on Jan. 8; Tonight in Orlando; March 17 in Orlando
| Pace | Off. Rtg. | Def. Rtg. | eFG% | O.Reb.% | TO% | FTR | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Detroit | 99.2 | 102.4 | 111.9 | 48.5 | 26.0 | 14.9 | 24.7 |
| Orlando | 98.8 | 103.1 | 111.7 | 49.6 | 26.0 | 14.9 | 22.6 |
OMD Prediction
The Orlando Magic have taken some tough losses this year. There have been a lot of losses but the ones that are close and seem to slip through their fingers are the ones that hurt the most. One of the keys for the team is how they respond to those defeats. They have done decently responding to those losses, but the breakthrough wins are still out of their reach.
Orlando is hitting the point where they have shown enough positive signs that the expectations should be that they finally put some of these things together and win. This homestand should have been a good chance to reinforce those things. Squandering the opportunity Wednesday against the LA Clippers hurts.
But in the NBA, there is always another day. The Detroit Pistons are a surprising 6-9 in their last 15 games, but their statistical profile is worse than the Orlando Magic’s (Orlando is 2-13 in the same stretch). That should even itself out… eventually.
Only if the Magic do something about it. This is a game Orlando should feel like it needs to have, just for some confidence and belief.
101. 64. 108. 38. Prediction
3 Keys To Watch
Defensive improvement
The Orlando Magic want to be about their defense. They made that a focus for their team in training camp and the results were not encouraging early on. The team focused a ton on stopping and crowding the ball in the paint, but gave up tons of threes. Their turnovers hurt them and they were rarely able to get themselves set.
There are plenty of positive signs though. The Magic’s defense is starting to round into form as offenses around the league get more comfortable. In the last 15 games, the Magic are accomplishing at least one of their goals — finishing in the top half of the league.
Orlando is 15th in the league in the last 15 games, giving up 111.0 points per 100 possessions. That is a pretty solid improvement — the Magic had a 112.1 defensive rating and were 26th in the previous 34 games.
These are small improvements and the Magic’s offense has been abysmally bad in the same time period. But they are undeniable improvements and something the team will continue to build on.
Battle of the rookies
The game tonight will feature a battle of two of the most promising rookies in what has turned out to be a really good rookie class. Both Jalen Suggs and Cade Cunningham came out of the gates slow. They were on bad teams and defenses keyed in on them and made life hard for them.
But both Cunningham and Suggs are showing more recently why they were taken in the top-five of their draft. And why they are considered some of the best prospects in the league still. They are not some flash in the pan and their star burst is coming.
Cunningham has been exceptional of late, averaging 17.9 points per game and 5.4 assists per game in his last 13 games. He is shooting 45.5-percent from the floor overall and 38.2-percent from deep. Cunningham is playing really well.
Suggs is coming on strong too — although perhaps not to that extent. Since returning from his thumb injury, Suggs is averaging 14.7 points per game, 5.3 rebounds per game and 5.1 assists per game. He is shooting 48.1-percent from the floor overall. It is a marked improvement from where he started the season.
These rookie players are starting to figure this league out. And they should be due for a good duel in this one.
Return of the starters
The Orlando Magic have had a ton of different starting lineups this year. There has been a lack of stability since Jalen Suggs got injured. And the team’s super-successful starting group had to take a back seat.
Since his return to the starting lineup and then the surprise injury to Gary Harris, the Magic have brought back that super successful starting group from the first part of the season. And with a bench group that is playing a lot better, the team figures to have a better chance at competing.
In the last two games, the Magic’s starting group of Jalen Suggs, Cole Anthony, Franz Wagner, Mo Bamba and Wendell Carter have a -4.3 net rating in 22 minutes played together. The team has an impressive 87.2 points allowed per 100 possessions.
Offense was a problem for the team overall too. The Magic’s preferred starting group is still 17th best lineup that has played at least 100 minutes together and the 11th best lineup that has played at least 150 minutes together (+9.5 net rating, 93.3 defensive rating and 102.8 offensive rating).
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Scoring remains the biggest issue for the Magic. Their poor offense is the biggest thing holding them back. But this group is helping the team once again. It is good to see the Magic healthy again.