Could the Eastern Conference No. 1 seed fail to make it out of the first round? At this point, expect as much from the Detroit Pistons, and give plenty of credit to the Orlando Magic for forcing such an issue.
My Magic vs. Pistons predictions and NBA picks give credit to Orlando’s defense for how exhausted it has left Cade Cunningham, something that should continue in Game 5 on Wednesday, April 29.
Magic vs Pistons prediction
Magic vs Pistons best bet: Cade Cunningham Under 28.5 points (-120)
While this could certainly come across as insulting doubt in Detroit Pistons’ cornerstone Cade Cunningham, it is meant more as acknowledging reality.
Cunningham looked excellent in Game 1 against the Orlando Magic, playing more than 40 minutes and scoring 39 points, though Detroit still lost by double digits.
It was his first full workload since returning from a collapsed lung, playing 20-some minutes in the last three games of the regular season as he tried to get back up to speed.
But the reality is, missing three weeks because of a collapsed lung was undoubtedly going to impact Cunningham’s conditioning, and the physical nature of the Magic defense has exacerbated that.
Cunningham has shot 15-for-46 (32.6%) in the last two games, both Detroit losses. His 3-point shooting has fallen to 6 of 21 in those two games, 28.6%.
Realize, Cunningham shot 46.1% from the field and 34.6% from deep in the regular season before his injury.
While he may not yet be an efficient scorer, he is far better than the version of the last week. He is simply out of gas, as are the Pistons without Cunningham at his best.
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Magic vs Pistons same-game parlay
What is more exhausting, driving into the lane against a physical and long defense or chucking 3-pointers for much of the night? Based on his choices in the last two games, Cade Cunningham would rather live beyond the arc right now.
Before his collapsed lung, he took 30.8% of his field-goal attempts from deep. In this series, it has jumped to 38.0%. In the last two games, it has been an even more alarming 45.7%.
Cunningham should hit multiple 3-pointers simply because he is taking so many rather than getting to the rim, and that inefficient approach helps keep Orlando in every game.
Magic vs Pistons SGP
- Cade Cunningham Under 28.5 points
- Cade Cunningham Over 1.5 threes
- Magic +9.5
Our "from downtown" SGP: Goodnight, Detroit
Orlando has already won on the road in this series. It has firm control, and it knows the best time to clinch the series is as soon as possible.
Given how suffocating the Magic defense has been — even the Pistons’ one win featured them scoring only 98 points — there is always value in a moneyline higher than +300.
Magic vs Pistons SGP
- Cade Cunningham Under 28.5 Points
- Cade Cunningham Over 1.5 3-Pointers
- Magic moneyline
Magic vs Pistons odds for Game 5
- Spread: Magic +9.5 | Pistons -9.5
- Moneyline: Magic +310 | Pistons -390
- Over/Under: Over 211 | Under 211
Magic vs Pistons betting trend to know
Detroit has fallen short of its team total in all four games of this series and by an average of 13.4 points per game. Find more NBA betting trends for Magic vs. Pistons.
How to watch Magic vs Pistons Game 5
| Location | Little Caesars Arena, Detroit, MI |
| Date | Wednesday, April 29, 2026 |
| Tip-off | 7:00 p.m. ET |
| TV | Prime Video |
Magic vs Pistons latest injuries
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