The Orlando Magic (20-14) travel to face off against the Detroit Pistons (14-18) on Wednesday, January 1st. This game will be played at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit and televised on FDSD. The Magic are coming off a win in their previous game, while the Pistons are looking to get back on track from a loss to the Pistons. Tip-off is set for 7:00 ET.

Magic vs Pistons

The Magic Are Coming Off A Win

The Magic improved to 20-14 with a narrow 102-101 win over the Nets on Sunday. Orlando, favored by 8 points, didn’t cover the spread, but they did manage to pull out the victory. The game’s total points barely went over the 202.5 line, finishing at 203.

Orlando’s comeback was impressive, as the Nets went on a 14-0 run early and led 83-68 going into the 4th quarter. The Magic responded by outscoring the Nets 34-18 in the final period to secure the win.

The Pistons Are Coming Off A Win

The Pistons fell to 14-18 on the season after a 134-121 road loss to the Nuggets on Saturday. Detroit entered the game as +6 underdogs and failed to cover the spread. The total points for the game reached 255, surpassing the O/U line of 235.

Detroit started strong, leading 38-36 after the 1st quarter, but Denver took control in the 2nd and 3rd quarters, outscoring the Pistons 78-51. The Nuggets went on an 11-0 run, extending their lead from 118-97 to 129-97. Detroit finished strong, winning the 4th quarter 32-20, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the deficit.

Magic Offense Breakdown

Tristan da Silva’s 13-point fourth quarter propelled the Magic to a 102-101 win over the Nets, finishing with a team-high 21 points and 7 assists. He hit 4 threes at a 44.4% clip, while the Magic made 12 threes overall, shooting 33.3% from deep.

Goga Bitadze contributed 19 points and 11 rebounds, shooting 80% from the field. Wendell Carter added 13 points, with 7 coming in the 3rd quarter, and Caleb Houstan scored 9 of his 12 points in the final period.

Pistons Offense Breakdown

In their 134-121 loss to the Nuggets, the Pistons shot 48.4% from the field, but struggled from beyond the arc, hitting just 30.8% of their threes, making 12 in total. Cade Cunningham and Jaden Ivey each scored 17 points, with Ivey shooting 77.8% from the floor.

Cunningham scored 11 of his points in the 1st quarter, while Ivey added 7. Ron Holland contributed 12 points, all coming in the 4th quarter.

Magic Team Defense

Despite a rough 2nd quarter, the Magic clamped down defensively in the 3rd and 4th, allowing just 40 points combined to help secure the win. Orlando held the Nets to 43% shooting overall.

From beyond the arc, the Magic struggled, giving up 13 threes on 43% shooting. They also sent Brooklyn to the line 28 times, where the Nets hit 24 free throws. The Magic finished with 7 steals and 3 blocks.

Pistons Team Defense

Despite a tough 2nd quarter, the Magic tightened up defensively in the 3rd and 4th, allowing just 40 points combined to secure a 102-101 win over the Nets. Orlando held Brooklyn to 43% shooting from the field.

The Magic struggled to defend the three, with the Nets hitting 13 threes at a 43% clip. Orlando sent Brooklyn to the line 28 times, where they made 24 free throws. The Magic finished with 7 steals and 3 blocks.

Magic vs Pistons Trends

• In their last ten games away from home, the Magic have a straight up record of 6-4 while going 6-4 vs the spread. The team’s offense averaged 105 points per game in these contests.
• Across their last five home contests, Detroit has been good against the spread posting a mark of 3-2. Their overall mark in these games was 3-2, while averaging 116 points per game.
• Through their last three games as the betting underdog, the Magic have a strong record vs the spread going 2-1. Their straight up mark in these contests is 1-2.
• Spanning across their last five games as the betting favorite, the Pistons have gone 1-4 vs the spread. Their overall record in these games was 2-3.

Magic vs Pistons Prediction

We’re putting our money on the Pistons to win, and have the projected score sitting at 118-78. We also like them to cover the spread, so our recommendation is to bet on the Pistons at -2.

As for the total, the line is currently sitting at 212.5 and our model has the Magic and Pistons finishing with a combined 196 points. Our pick is to take the under.

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All odds are courtesy of Action247 Sportsbook. Good luck!!

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* All odds are provided by Action247 Sportsbook and all odds subject to change.**All views expressed are my own. My picks are my own and are not a guarantee, bet at your own risk.Action247 does not warrant the accuracy of completeness of the information, text, graphics, links or other items contained within these post.