Detroit Pistons Versus Orlando Magic NBA Playoffs First Round Game 6 Preview

Another day, another pivotal game for the top-seeded Detroit Pistons, who go on the road to try to climb out of a 3-1 series hole against the Orlando Magic on Friday night in the Sunshine State. Let’s examine how each team could walk away with the win, and my prediction for who pulls out the victory.

Pistons Supporting Cast Must Play Well

In what has become a running theme, one of the biggest reasons the Pistons currently stand on the brink of elimination is the stagnant production from key players. While Pistons superstar Cade Cunningham has played up to his standards, averaging 33 points per game on an efficient 45% from the field, 35% from three, and 85% from the line, that has been routinely offset by sparse production from players like Tobias Harris and Jalen Duren.

Duren has especially been a major disappointment so far in the series, as the All-Star big man is only averaging 10 points per game and 8 rebounds per game this round, a sharp decline from his 20 points per game and 11 rebounds per game averages in the regular season. Duren’s performance in game 5 was a positive sight for the Pistons, as Duren finished with 12 points and 9 rebounds to help extend the series for Detroit.

While Duren needs to be a force in the middle to help counteract the great play of the Magic’s frontcourt, the secondary shot creation that Tobias Harris provides plays an even more crucial role for the Pistons. Harris’s performance in game 5 was the key difference in helping lift Detroit to victory, as he scored 23 points and grabbed 8 rebounds in the win. Harris is currently questionable for game 6 on Friday due to a left ankle sprain, but was a full participant in shootaround earlier this morning. The Pistons’ season could very well hinge on Harris availability.

Magic Must Shoot Better from Free-Throw Line to Close Out Series

When looking at the final score of game 5 as well as the box score, it’s easy to see what led to the Magic’s inability to complete the gentleman’s sweep in Detroit on Wednesday. While Orlando was able to thoroughly outplay the Pistons from the perimeter, as they knocked down 17 threes to just 10 threes for Detroit, the Magic’s woes from the free-throw line served as the deciding factor in the game. Orlando shot a dreadful 53% from the charity stripe, only managing to sink 16 of their 30 free-throw attempts in the game.

Much of those struggles from the line came from superstar Paolo Banchero, who, despite dropping an impressive 45 points to give the Magic a chance to win, finished just 5 for 12 on free throws. While the Pistons only shot 5 more free throws in the game, they were able to almost double up the Magic in terms of free throw makes, as they knocked in 28 of 35 shots from the line, with Cunningham going a perfect 14 for 14 in the win for Detroit. If the Magic want to finish the job on Friday, the free-throw line has to be their ally instead of their enemy.

Whoever Wins the Rebounding Battle Will Win the Game

While the previous two points highlight game plan adjustments, the rebound battle is all about hustle combined with will, and has been the defining factor for the winner of each game in this series. Coming into the series, it was expected that Detroit would hold a decisive edge on the glass, as the Pistons ranked 2nd in the league in rebounds per game, whereas the Magic ranked 12th in that department.

Flash forward to game 6, and the Magic’s superior rebounding effort has been the key to putting Detroit on the ropes. Orlando has outrebounded the Pistons in all three of their victories in the series. On the flip side, the Pistons outrebounded the Magic in their two wins in the series, particularly on the offensive glass, where they held a decisive 12 rebound advantage across their victories. If you want to know who will win game 6, keep an eye on the rebounding stat throughout the game.

Prediction: Magic Completes the Series Upset in Game 6

Although game 6 will in all likelihood be a close one, given the Pistons’ renewed confidence on offense following their game 5 win, the Magic simply hold more firepower on offense for Detroit to overcome for a second straight game. Much of that is due to the Pistons’ inability to stretch the Magic’s defense with their three-point shooting, as they’re shooting only 31% from beyond the arc in the series.

While the Magic’s offense isn’t as potent following the loss of Franz Wagner, their versatility on offense is still a step above the Pistons, especially in terms of their improved play in the post with Wendell Carter Jr, and the shot-making ability of Jalen Suggs. Orlando will win tonight’s game 109-102 to win their first playoff series since 2010, and become just the 7th 8-seed to beat a 1-seed in NBA playoff history.

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