The Detroit Pistons (2-3) and Orlando Magic (3-2) will square off in Game 6 of their first-round NBA playoff series tonight. Tipoff is set for 7:00 p.m. ET from Kia Center in Orlando, Florida. The game will stream live on Amazon Prime Video.
The Pistons are 3.5-point favorites over the Magic on the spread (Pistons -3.5), with the over/under set at 209.5 total points. Detroit is a -162 favorite to win outright on the moneyline, while Orlando is +136 to pull off the upset.
Let's get into my Pistons vs. Magic predictions and NBA picks for Game 6 on Friday, May 1.
Pistons vs Magic Prediction
- Pistons vs Magic pick: Pistons Moneyline (-162, DraftKings)
My Pistons vs. Magic Game 6 best bet is on Detroit moneyline at -162. Make sure to find the best odds by checking our live NBA odds page.
Pistons vs Magic Odds for Game 6
| Pistons Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-3.5 -110 | 209.5 -110o / -110u | -162 |
| Magic Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+3.5 -110 | 209.5 -110o / -110u | +136 |
Pistons vs Magic NBA Playoffs Game 6 Preview
Detroit Pistons Betting Preview, Analysis
I can’t buy into the spread because I can’t trust the Pistons to handle clutch time. Orlando has consistently (and persistently) hung around in games and made the Pistons sweat until late in the game.
However, in games where the road favorite is down 3-2 in Game 6, those teams are 9-5 SU, but they are just 6-7-1 ATS.
Road favorites in Game 6s, overall, are 41-18 SU (35-23-3 ATS, 60%).
Orlando Magic Betting Preview, Analysis
I just think the loss of Franz Wagner matters more to the Magic than people realize.
Wagner is a phenomenal player at both ends of the floor, and at multiple levels — and the impact of his loss is notable.
The Pistons are also starting to figure some stuff out. Jalen Duren recorded 12 points and 9 rebounds last game. The bench is winning their minutes.
It seems like Detroit is finally getting more comfortable after being completely rattled the first four games.
Pistons vs Magic Pick, Betting Analysis
Pistons Moneyline
Maybe the Pistons get hit with a haymaker and drop in the first half. This game could get away from them.
However, I think the Pistons finally remembered they are the better team in this series, and they are starting to stand up to the Magic.
Paolo Banchero had an unbelievable Game 5, and while he’s certainly a playoff riser, I don’t think it was a repeatable performance.
I think Detroit wins Game 6 tonight and sends this series back home for Game 7.
Under 209.5
This total is down between 1 and 2 points from open, and we’re tracking sharp money on the under in our Action Network Pro Signals.
The under is 11-3 when teams battle back to force Game 6 as a home favorite. The under is 59% in Eastern Conference Game 6s.
One of these offenses is going to crater. The Magic and Pistons have both looked lost offensively for long stretches and struggled with shooting.
This is a tense Game 6 environment where every possession matters. So yeah, I’ll take the under.
Ausar Thompson Over 6.5 Rebounds
Ausar Thompson has recorded over 6.5 rebounds in every game in this series, and he’s likely to play more moving forward.
JB Bickerstaff seems to realize he needs to play Thompson more.
Ausar is a huge playmaker and a hyper-athletic guy. The Pistons need him on the floor in this series.
Matt Moore's Pistons vs Magic Best Bets
- Pistons Moneyline (-162)
- Under 209.5 (-110)
- Ausar Thompson Over 6.5 Rebounds (-150)
