The Detroit Pistons (57-21) and Orlando Magic (42-36) will meet in the NBA tonight. Tipoff is set for 7:00 p.m. ET from the Kia Center in Orlando, Fla. The game will broadcast live on FDSDET.
The Pistons are 3.5-point favorites over the Magic on the spread (Pistons -3.5), with the over/under set at 225.5 total points. Detroit is a -155 favorite to win outright on the moneyline, while Orlando is +130 to pull off the upset.
Let's get into my Pistons vs. Magic predictions and NBA picks for Monday, April 6.
Pistons vs Magic Prediction, Pick
- Pistons vs Magic pick: Daniss Jenkins Over 24.5 Points & Assists (-130)
My Magic vs. Pistons best bet is on Daniss Jenkins to combine for over 24.5 points & assists. Make sure to find the best odds by checking our live NBA odds page.
Pistons vs Magic Odds
| Pistons Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-3.5 -108 | 225.5 -105o / -115u | -155 |
| Magic Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+3.5 -112 | 225.5 -105o / -115u | +130 |
Pistons vs Magic NBA Preview
The Magic are on the second half of a back-to-back after last night's tight 112-108 win over the Pelicans.
The Magic are now 42-36, which positions them ninth in the Eastern Conference standings, barely hanging onto a Play-In spot while desperately eyeing one final push at a top-6 seed.
There isn't much in this for the Pistons, who have already clinched the 1-seed in the Eastern Conference, giving themselves homecourt advantage for the playoffs.
There's a chance these two teams play in first round of the playoffs, albeit a shaky one given the nature of the 5-10 teams in the East.
Pistons injury reports are to be monitored every day now, given that there's no incentive for them to go balls to the wall other than playoff prep — although they still could on any given night, because that's how they got to the top spot to begin with.
Isaiah Stewart (calf) is out Monday, as is Cade Cunningham (chest). The Pistons are hopeful to have both for the postseason. Duncan Robinson (hip) and Tobias Harris (knee) are questionable.
Orlando's injury report is as follows:
Anthony Black (abdomen), Jett Howard (ankle), and Jonathan Isaac (knee) all sat Sunday. All are expected to miss tonight's game as of early Monday morning, barring the potential for any updates provided throughout the day prior to tipoff.
Pistons vs Magic Predictions, Betting Analysis
Daniss Jenkins has combined for 25+ points & assists in seven of his last nine games, with the only two unders coming in really tough matchups against the Thunder and Timberwolves (1st and 5th ranked defenses in the league).
Heading into the season, Orlando's reputation also put them in that class. The Magic ranked 2nd in defense in back-to-back seasons before this one — but this year, they rank 14th.
Regardless, it's about opportunity, effectiveness, and reading the situation.
The Pistons are locked into the 1-seed, so they can start resting guys this week. However, it's not quite time for them to do that yet.
Detroit has a Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday schedule this week — with tonight and possibly Friday being the only two games against possible playoff opponents. In both cases, it could be a possible Round 1 opponent.
Also, Jenkins is low on the list of Pistons who should be sitting. He's a year-two, rapidly improving shot creator who needs the reps as long as Cunningham is out.
You can begin to find spots for Jalen Duren to rest, for sure, but Jenkins? Why now?
Plus, since we last saw Cunningham on March 17, Jenkins has posted a 22.3 usage rate, which is basically the second-highest rate on the team during that span (after Duren) — and that's with 35.9 minutes per contest across these 10 starts.
Pick: Daniss Jenkins Over 24.5 Points & Assists (-130)
