The NBA returns after the All-Star break and offers us a ten-game slate on Thursday, February 23, so make sure you don’t miss out on the best Pistons vs. Magic betting pick and odds.

Detroit is looking to avoid the third straight defeat when they visit Orlando at Amway Center. The Magic are -6.5 favorites on BookMaker Sportsbook, while the total is set at 226.5 points. These conference rivals will meet for the third time this year, the Pistons lead the series 2-0.

Pistons couldn’t do much in Boston against the Celtics

The Detroit Pistons (15-44, 25-31-3 ATS) opened their three-game road trip with a pair of defeats to the Toronto Raptors and Boston Celtics. While the loss against the Raptors was tight, the Pistons had no chance against the Celtics in Boston. Detroit did shoot 51.2% from the floor, but made 11 three-pointers opposite Boston’s 21, while the home team was also better in rebounds (43-35) and assists (30-24). After these two wins, the Pistons still have the worst record in the Eastern Conference and the second-worst in the NBA.

Bojan Bogdanovic led Detroit in a 127-109 loss with 28 points and five rebounds. Jaden Ivey added 17 points, five boards, and four assists, Isaiah Stewart had 14 points and six rebounds, James Wiseman scored 11 with five boards, while Killian Hayes finished with ten points and game-high nine dishes along with two steals.

PF/C Nerlens Noel (personal), PF/C Marvin Bagley III (hand), and PG Cade Cunningham (shin) are out indefinitely. C Jalen Duren (ankle) is questionable to feature on Thursday against Orlando.

Magic’s defense wasn’t good enough in Toronto

The Orlando Magic (24-35, 33-25-1 ATS) are playing in a hot and cold form recently; they won five of the previous nine games. The Magic returned to Florida from a two-game road trip and one victory in the bag. Following a win over the Chicago Bulls, the Magic lost 123-113 to the Toronto Raptors. Orlando had a 5-point lead at halftime, but the hosts were better in the second 24 minutes and kept the visitors to 43 points. Orlando was good from the floor (51.2%) and from beyond the arc (41.9%) but lost the rebounding battle (29-40).

Wendell Carter Jr. led the Magic with 26 points, six rebounds, and five assists. Jalen Suggs chipped in 24 points, four dimes, and two steals, MArkelle Fultz had 19 points, six boards, five dishes, and two blocks, while Paolo Banchero scored 13 points.

PG Cole Anthony has missed the previous two matches due to right wrist pain, and it is unknown whether he will be in the lineup versus the Pistons on Thursday.

Trends:

Detroit:

  • 6-12 ATS in the last 18 games
  • 3-9 ATS in their last 12 games against the Eastern Conference rivals

Orlando:

  • 24-11 ATS in the last 35 games overall
  • 13-3 ATS in the last 16 games following a straight-up loss
  • 8-0 ATS in the last eight games following an ATS loss

Detroit Pistons vs. Orlando Magic Pick

The Pistons are already thinking about the next season, while the Magic have the chance to fight for a playoff spot. Orlando must win games against weaker opponents, and considering they lost to Detroit twice this year, I am backing the Magic to get a W in this one. The Pistons lost six of the previous seven games on the road. Orlando has a stronger defense and that will prevail on Thursday. The Magic are allowing 113.7 points per game this season opposite Detroit’s 119.9 ppg, which is the second-worst D in the NBA.

Pick: Take the Magic at -5.5 (-120)

The Total

While the Magic have a stronger defense than the Pistons, Detroit actually has a better offense. Detroit scores 112.3 points per contest opposite Orlando’s 110.9 ppg – both offenses are among the worst six in the league. The Pistons failed to score more than 109 points in four of their previous four games, and I am backing the hosts to limit the visitors to 100-100 points. Under is 5-1 in the Magic’s last six overall, while Under is 6-1 in Orlando’s previous seven games following an ATS loss.

Pick: Go Under 229.5 points (-133)