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NBA Betting – Magic vs. Pistons (Dec. 29)

Free pick and preview plus NBA betting odds and basketball lines for the matchup featuring the Orlando Magic and the Detroit Pistons …

NBA Analysis & Pick Magic @ Pistons

The Detroit Pistons (17-11 SU, 12-16 ATS, 12-16 O/U) have won three straight games coming into tonight’s matchup against the Orlando Magic (24-6 SU 20-9-1 ATS, 13-17 O/U) but have mostly struggled since acquiring high-scoring shooting guard Allen Iverson from the Denver Nuggets last month. Detroit will host a Magic team that has won seven straight games and nine of its last 10 overall.  

The Pistons beat the Milwaukee Bucks 87-76 on Saturday, covering the spread in the BetUS Sportsbook for NBA sports betting backers as a 6-point road underdog.

Playing without longtime shooting guard Rip Hamilton, Detroit got a team-high 19 points, along with eight rebounds, from Tayshaun Prince while Iverson added 18 points and Rodney Stuckey and Rasheed Wallace 16 points apiece.

“When we have the bigger lineup, obviously we’re better defensively,” said Tayshaun Prince, who scored a game-high 19 points. “It’s kind of pick and choose. Sometimes you are going to need the offensive side, but more importantly you’re going to need the defensive side.”

The Magic had an easier time in their last outing, laying an emphatic 118-94 smackdown on the lowly Minnesota Timberwolves on Saturday to cover the spread for BetUS NBA Sportsbook backers as a 9.5-point road favorite.

Forwards Hedo Turkoglu and Rashard Lewis led the way with 26 points and 24 points respectively, while point guard Jameer Nelson added 20 points with six rebounds and eight assists in the win. The Magic scored a whopping 39 points in the final 12 minutes.

“In order to be a great team, you can’t let up,” said center Dwight Howard. “I like the way we came back. We held together and came out with a good win.”

In their last four games Orlando has drained a blistering 53-of-113 (46.9 percent) three-pointers, led by Lewis (13-of-26) and Turkoglu (9-of-17).

“(Turkoglu) should be in the 3-point contest,” Howard said. “He presents a lot problems for the defense. When he’s hot he’s tough to stop, especially late.”

Here is a look at tonight’s key trends, followed by my in-depth analysis and NBA Free Pick.

The Magic are 6-0 ATS in their last 6 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game.
The Magic are 6-0 ATS in their last 6 games vs. a team with a winning S.U. record.
The Pistons are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 Monday games.
The Pistons are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 games following a ATS win.
The Under is 29-11 in Magic last 40 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game.
The Under is 6-0 in Pistons last 6 home games vs. a team with a winning road record.
The Over is 10-3 in the last 13 meetings in Detroit.
The Road team is 17-8-3 ATS in the last 28 meetings.

NBA Odds

Orlando Magic -2½ -110
Detroit Pistons +2½ -110

Over 187½ -110
Under 187½ -110

Analysis: I know the Detroit pistons are playing at home in this contest, but the simple fact of the matter is that they are no longer a better team than Orlando. The acquisition of Iverson has thrown the Pistons’ former chemistry completely out the window and the result is what NBA sports betting fanatics are seeing right now. I like the Magic to win this contest despite being on the road.

I also like the Over as well as the Pistons are clearly no longer a defensive juggernaut.

NBA Free Picks: Magic +2½ Points/Over 187½ Total Points

By Cappers Picks

Articles on CappersPicks.com are written by Q (the Head Honcho) at Cappers Picks or by our resident "in house" handicapper Razor Ray Monohan! Enjoy the free picks folks! "Pad that bankroll one day at a time!"