Orlando Magic AT Detroit Pistons
Friday December 3rd, 7:30 EST
Current Betting Line: Orlando Magic -6.5
Current total: 186
Current Moneyline: -257/+228
(lines as of 1:32 AM Dec 3rd)
Orlando has been on fire lately, winning their last five games, including impressive wins against Chicago and Miami. Detroit is on the other end of the spectrum, riding a three game losing streak, one of which was a game in Orlando. That night, the Magic won by 11, and no Piston scored more than 16 points, while collectively only scoring 79.
It goes without saying that Detroit’s glory days of the Chauncey Billups – Rip Hamilton – Ben Wallace era are gone, even though they still ahve Hamilton and Wallace. They are 6-13 so far and are a very long shot to make the playoffs. Dumars’ questionable signings of Ben Gordon and Charlie Villanueva have been horrible for Detroit, as both are coming off the bench and not providing the offense that they were counted upon for, which isn’t good considering both are bad to horrible defenders.
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of the last 10 matchups between Orlando and Detroit, including 4 of the last 5 in Detroit. The total also has gone OVER in 7 of 9 of Detroit’s last home games. Orlando is 1-5-1 ATS in the last 7 games in Detroit.
Orlando is averaging 99.1 ppg and giving up a stingy 91.1 ppg. Detroit has a -5.9 point differential. They are giving up 100.3 and only scoring 94.4.
Some Key Matchups:
Vince Carter vs Rip Hamiton
Carter kept Hamiton in check last game, despite experts’ expectations of Hamilton having a big game (he scored 35 in the previous matchup against Orlando). He didn’t look as though he was giving his full effort and scored only 12 points. Detroit also didn’t run a lot of plays for Hamilton, which would have been to their advantage as Carter is not very adept at chasing players around picks. Hamilton lacks the athleticism to give Carter much of a problem on the defensive end and Carter shouldn’t have much of a problem getting to the basket, where he has been finishing well lately.
Dwight Howard vs Ben Wallace
Dwight Howard will be looking for redemption tonight. Ben Wallace held Howard to a mere 9 points last game and Howard had trouble getting position for entry passes in the post. Though Wallace is not the same player he was during the Detroit heyday, he is still muscular enough to push Howard away from the basket and make things harder on him. He provides little to no offense, however, and any baskets from Wallace can be considered a “bonus.”
Though the Magic won the last game by 11, it was much closer than the score indicated, as Orlando pulled away in the last 2:30 of the game. In Detroit, they may keep it close and sneak a win at the end this time.
