The Orlando Magic play against the Detroit Pistons in the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs
Game time: 6:30 p.m., Kia Center, Orlando
TV: Amazon Prime
Betting line: Magic +3
VITALS:
Orlando is 61-73 all-time vs. Detroit (42-26 at home, 19-47 on the road) during regular season action, including 2-2 this season. The Magic went 2-1 last season against the Pistons. Orlando is 7-12 vs. Detroit in the playoffs (2-0 at home, 1-0 on the road, 1996 first round; 2-1 at home, 1-3 on the road, 2003 first round; 0-2 at home, 0-2 on the road, 2007 first round; 1-1 at home, 0-3 on the road, 2008 Conference Semifinals). Orlando has won 10 of the last 13 matchups with the Pistons overall. The Magic have won 23 of the last 33 meetings at home, but dropped 10 of the last 14 at Detroit.
LAST GAME FOR MAGIC:
Paolo Banchero scored 25 points, as Orlando defeated Charlotte, 121-90, at a sold-out Kia Center in the NBA Play-In Tournament. The win gave the Magic the #8-seed in the NBA Playoffs, while Charlotte was eliminated. All five starters scored in double figures for the Magic. Franz Wagner had 18 points, seven rebounds and six assists, while Wendell Carter Jr. added 16 points. LaMelo Ball led the Hornets with 23 points. Orlando shot 50 percent from the field, outrebounded Charlotte, 49-34, and forced the Hornets to commit 20 turnovers, which led to 26 points. The Magic dominated from the opening tip, outscoring Charlotte during the first quarter, 38-16, and never looked back. Orlando led by as many as 35 points. The 31-point win was the largest margin of victory in NBA Play-In Tournament history.
PROJECTED STARTERS
MAGIC
F Franz Wagner
F Paolo Banchero
C Wendell Carter Jr.
G Desmond Bane
G Jalen Suggs
PISTONS
F Ausar Thompson
F Tobias Harris
C Jalen Duren
G Cade Cunningham
G Duncan Robinson
INJURY REPORT
MAGIC
Jonathan Isaac: Questionable (Knee)
QUOTABLE
Magic forward Paolo Banchero on being aggressive on offense: “Like I said, hesitation doesn't get rewarded. And I just wanted to come out and take whatever I wanted, in terms of not necessarily just letting the defense kind of trick me into doing what they want,” Banchero said. “If they're backing up, I'm still going to drive the ball and make them have to react, instead of just falling into their trap. And then when I want to shoot the three and I feel good about it, I'm going to take the three."
Join the Community
Don't miss out on our ROUNDTABLE community and the latest news!
It's completely free to join. Share your thoughts, engage with our Roundtable writers, and chat with fellow members.
Download the free Roundtable APP, and stay even more connected!
Shandel Richardson is the publisher of MagicRoundtable. He can be reached at shandelrich@gmail.com