Detroit Pistons vs. Orlando Magic Prediction, Preview, Picks & Odds - 1/28/2022

Time: 7 p.m. ET

Venue: Amway Center, Orlando, FL

Where to watch: BSFL, BSDET+

DraftKings: Magic -2

WynnBet: Magic -2

Caesars: Check back later

Pistons: 11-36 (14th, East)

Magic: 9-40 (15th, East)

In honor of the Super Bowl, we present the NBA's version of the Toilet Bowl between the Detroit Pistons and Orlando Magic. It's almost like a coin flip when it comes to this game, but I'm going to take the Magic at home.

The worst record in the NBA resides in Orlando, but the Magic's 114-95 against the shorthanded Chicago Bulls is something to get excited about for a team that you hope is going in the right direction with this youth rebuild.

After that, however, the Los Angeles Clippers handled the Magic, at home, 111-102 on Wednesday. It's been a god-awful stretch at home against the Clippers, Lakers and Bulls, but the Magic have at least found ways to keep those games competitive.

It's hard to lose most games when all your starters reach double figures in scoring, but Franz Wagner continued his strong rookie season with 21 points and nine assists, while Cole Anthony had 19 points and 11 assists of his own.

The key was free throws for the Magic, making seven fewer than the Clippers. In a 9-point loss, who knows what could've been?

"We messed up on our part by less than two minutes into the (fourth) quarter putting them into the bonus, and that changes our whole game plan," Anthony said. "At that point, we can't be as aggressive as we want to be."

Despite their records, the Pistons and Magic have been respectable teams on the books. The Pistons are 24-23 against the spread, while the Magic are only 21-28 but are just 1-5 in their last six.

The Magic are opening as 2-point favorites at some books, understandably so, but this will only be the second time Orlando has been a favorite this season. The Magic were 1-point favorites last game against the Clippers, who just completed a 35-point comeback the night prior to defeat the Washington Wizards.

But Orlando is only 4-16 against the spread at home this season and just 31-54 over the past three seasons. When the total is between 210 and 219.5, the Magic are just 2-12 ATS this season. Detroit comes into this matchup just 12-13 ATS as a road dog and are 13-7 ATS following a non-conference game.

Detroit is coming off consecutive single-digit losses to the Denver Nuggets, the most recent being a 110-105 defeat at home. Cade Cunningham had his best game as a pro, going for 34 points, eight rebounds and eight assists to nearly offset a 28-point, 21-rebound, 9-assist effort from Nikola Jokic for Denver.

"It's surreal to be out there battling guys like Jokic — those are the moments I dreamed about my whole life," the rookie said. "I thought we played really well defensively in the second half, but we gave them too much in the first half."

Just because it's at home, I'm going to take Orlando in a close finish. Magic by 6

The Pistons have covered their last four against the spread.

The Pistons are 4-0 ATS in their last four after allowing 100 points the previous game.

The Pistons are 5-1 ATS in their last six following a straight-up loss.

The Magic are 1-8 ATS in their last nine against a team with a winning percentage below .400.

The over is 10-2 in the last 12 when the Magic player on one day rest.

PG: Cory Joseph

SG: Cade Cunningham
SF: Hamidou Diallo
PF: Saddiq Bey
C: Isaiah Stewart

PG: Cole Anthony

SG: Jalen Suggs
SF: Franz Wagner
PF: Wendell Carter Jr.
C: Mo Bamba

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