Pistons vs Magic Picks and Predictions: Magic Disappear Against the Spread

Talk about taking a back seat to March Madness. There is just one game on the NBA schedule today and it’s a matchup only a bettor could love as the Orlando Magic host the Detroit Pistons. 

If you haven’t been paying attention, the Pistons have been the best bet going in the NBA for the last month. A lot of that has to due with the much-improved play of No. 1 overall pick Cade Cunningham, but will he suit up for this matchup?

Find out in our free NBA picks and predictions for Pistons vs. Magic on March 17.

Pistons vs Magic odds

This odds widget represents the best odds available for each betting market from regulated sportsbooks.

The Magic opened this Eastern Conference clash as 3-point home underdogs and were faded to +4. But since then, Orlando has seen more of the action, with the line coming back down to 2.5. The total hit the board at 219.5 and has been bet down slightly to 219.

Use the live odds widget above to track any future line movements right until tip-off and be sure to check out the full NBA odds before betting to ensure you get the best number.

Pistons vs Magic predictions

• Prediction: Pistons +3 (-110)
• Prediction: Under 219 (-110)
• Best bet: Anthony Over 17.5 points (+100)

Predictions made on 3/17/2022 at 1:30 p.m. ET.
Click on each prediction to jump to the full analysis.

Pistons vs Magic game info

• Location: Amway Center, Orlando, FL
• Date: Thursday, March 17, 2022
• Tip-off: 7:00 p.m. ET
• TV: NBA TV

Pistons vs Magic betting preview

Key injuries

Pistons: Cade Cunningham PG (Questionable), Jerami Grant PF (Out), Frank Jackson PG, Hamidou Diallo SF (Out).
Magic: Wendell Carter Jr. PF (Questionable), Chuma Okeke PF (Questionable), Jalen Suggs PG (Out).
Find our latest NBA injury reports.

Betting trend to know

The Under is 6-1 in the Pistons' last seven games overall and is 5-1-1 in the Magic's last seven games as a favorite. Find more NBA betting trends for Pistons vs. Magic.

Pistons vs Magic picks and predictions

Our side and total predictions are based upon our analysis of the line and total in this game. Our best bet is our favorite pick across all markets.

Spread analysis

Despite entering this game on a four-game losing streak, the Pistons have continued their scrappy play and have been the best bet going in the NBA over the last month. Detroit is a respectable 6-6 straight up over its last 12 games but is an incredible 11-1 ATS over that stretch.

A lot of that has to do with the play of rookie Cade Cunningham. The No. 1 overall pick is putting up 22.1 points per game while grabbing 7.5 rebounds and 6.0 assists over his last 11 games. (He sat out Detroit’s last game against Miami). 

On top of that, the Pistons have picked up their play on the defensive end of the floor. Detroit ranks a much more respectable 17th in defensive rating over this 12-game stretch. But now, Cunningham is questionable for this with an illness. 

Even without him, the Pistons put up a decent fight against the Heat, losing by just seven points as 14-point dogs. Detroit allowed Miami to score just 105 points in that matchup thanks in part to their surprising depth. Seven players logged at least 20 minutes and the entire roster played at least 13. 

Orlando has also been a decent bet recently, going 7-3 ATS in its last 10 games, but is also dealing with some injuries heading into this matchup. Wendell Carter Jr. is questionable with an ankle injury and No. 4 overall pick Jalen Suggs will miss this one with an ankle injury of his own.

Missing Carter would be a big deal. The Magic big man has been a presence in the middle, averaging 14.7 points and 10.4 rebounds per game, and has been a big reason why the Magic rank sixth in defensive rating over that 10-game stretch. That said, the offense is still missing that spark.

It can be hard to handicap a matchup with so many unknowns. But if Cunningham is able to go, he is the most dynamic player in this game and will make it hard to fade a Pistons team that has been such a reliable bet lately.

Prediction: Pistons +3 (-110)

Over/Under analysis

While both teams have been playing better at that end of the floor of late, this number just seems too high, considering this is a matchup of teams that rank 28th and 29th, respectively, in offensive rating this season. 

The “improved” version of the Magic offense is still putting up just 109.8 points per game, ranking 29th in field goal percentage over the last 10 games. And as noted, Detroit has picked up its play on defense, ranking 17th in D-rating, giving up just 110.8 points per game over that same sample.

Also, keep an eye on the status of Cunningham. If he is ruled out, jump on the Under as quickly as possible. But even with Cunningham, the Pistons are still averaging just 108.8 points per game over this 12-game cover run. So, with or without Cunningham, this looks like a solid Under bet.

Prediction: Under 219 (-110)

Best bet

With several questions in regard to who will suit up for this one, it can be hard to find a best bet. But one thing we know for sure is that Jalen Suggs won’t suit up which means Magic guard Cole Anthony won’t be shy about jacking up a few extra shots. 

Anthony averages 14.7 field goal attempts per game this season, but those numbers bump up when Suggs isn’t on the floor. Suggs missed basically the entire month of December and some of early January. Anthony played 12 games in that stretch and averaged 17.6 field goals per game, putting up 20.1 points per game. 

Suggs has also missed three more games more recently, and Anthony has gone for 19, 11, and 19 points respectively in those matchups. We’ll take the even money on the Over 17.5 points in this one.

Pick: Cole Anthony Over 17.5 points (+100)

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