The Detroit Pistons and Orlando Magic square off on Sunday in a huge matchup in the Eastern Conference. Detroit arrives as the top team in the conference with a strong record and a road winning streak to protect, while Orlando looks to defend home court and remain solidly in the playoff picture. Here, I break down this Eastern Conference contest and bring you my Pistons vs Magic prediction from Orlando.
Our Pistons vs Magic Pick
Pick:
Confidence: 3 out of 5
Game Snapshot
- Matchup: Detroit Pistons @ Orlando Magic
- Date & Time: Sunday, March 1, 2026, 6:00 PM ET
- Venue: Kia Center, Orlando, Florida
- Broadcast: NBA League Pass
Key Storylines
- Detroit has the best record in the Eastern Conference and brings a five-game road winning streak into this game.
- Orlando sits in the middle of the playoff race and recently posted big wins over the Lakers and Clippers during their recent West Coast road trip.
- Injuries for the Magic, including the loss of Franz Wagner, could influence outcome of this game.
Key Players
Orlando Magic
- Paolo Banchero: The Magic’s focal point on offense, Banchero is averaging 21.7 points, 8.5 rebounds and 5.1 assists per game and can take over late in clutch situations.
- Desmond Bane: Bane has settled into a scoring rhythm, averaging around 24.7 points over his last ten outings and providing a perimeter threat for a Magic team that lacks consistent three-point shooting from many sources.
Detroit Pistons
- Cade Cunningham: Cunningham is the Pistons’ engine, averaging 26.1 points and 6.8 rebounds over his last ten games and capable of explosive offensive output.
- Jalen Duren: Duren has been dominant inside, posting multiple games with a 25-plus point, 10-plus rebound line and anchoring Detroit’s interior activity.
Stat Comparison
| Pistons | Magic | |
|---|---|---|
| Points per game | 117.5 | 115.0 |
| Points allowed per game | 109.7 | 114.6 |
| Team Field Goal % | 48% | 46% |
| Rebounds per game | 46.1 | 43.4 |
| Assists per game | 26.8 | 26.3 |
Head-to-Head & Betting Trends
- In the current season’s head-to-head series, each team has claimed a win.
- Detroit is 30-28 against the spread this season.
- Orlando enters Sunday’s play with a 25-33 record against the spread for the year.
Pistons vs Magic Model Projection
Score Projection:
Win Probability:
Final Thoughts
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