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Pistons Vs Magic Preview: Detroit Is Not Done

ORLANDO, FL - MARCH 1: Ausar Thompson #9 of the Detroit Pistons drives to the basket during the game against the Orlando Magic on March 1, 2026 at Kia Center in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

Potential playoff match ups in April can either be a telltale sign or a nothing burger. The Detroit Pistons face the sliding Orlando Magic tonight. The Pistons clinched the top seed in the East, while the Magic are sliding.

Cade Cunningham and Isaiah Stewart remain out for Detroit. Anthony Black has been out since March 8, but Franz Wagner is back in the lineup. The real story in Orlando is Paolo Banchero’s recent struggles. It is the wrong time of the year not to have it going.

Game Vitals

Where: Kia Center, Orlando, Florida

When: 7:00 PM

Watch: FanDuel Sports Network Detroit

Odds: Pistons (-2.5)

Analysis

After going on a seven-game winning streak in March, the Orlando Magic came back to earth. The hot stretch was the highlight of their season, but they are back in the play-in picture. They are 4-7 in their last 11 games and have been decimated in the process. Orlando is currently the 9th seed, so it is very possible that they face the Pistons in round one if their inconsistent ways continue.

That said, maybe JB Bickerstaff does not want to play his hand tonight with the playoffs approaching. Some organizations handle business that way, but Detroit is the type of team that tries to win every game at any cost. Detroit’s superstar offensive engine is already out tonight anyway, so this is not the exact team Orlando would see in the first round, health willing.

We may not see guys resting tonight. Tobias Harris and Duncan Robinson are questionable. Harris gets up for this Orlando match up as he and Banchero have built-in friction. From a Magic fan’s POV, it is sad that Harris duels with their No. 1 pick this late into Harris’ career.

Banchero is slumping at the worst time. Over the last five games, he is averaging 14.4 points with a 46.1 true shooting percentage. Rough efficiency and a shaking my head shot diet are recurring themes for Banchero. To his credit, he has erased some of the long 2s from his shot diet. But he still shoots them too much, considering he is not a terrific shooter (until the postseason hits for some reason).

Per Cleaning The Glass, 41 percent of Banchero’s shots come at the rim, which is a career high. That is better, but that number should be bumped up a bit with Banchero’s skill level and physical stature. His scoring approach should be more Giannis than Carmelo Anthony-like.

Maybe Banchero is a big game player, though. He has been at a different level in two playoff appearances, especially shooting the basketball from range.

In 12 playoff games, Banchero shoots 42 percent from 3 on nearly six attempts. He is at about 32 percent in the regular season. Would his playoff hot streak continue against a stellar Pistons defense?

Good offense beats good defense, but Detroit has a great defense — a great defense with some of the best individual defenders in the sport. Ausar Thompson and Stew get their pub, but Ron Holland is an All-Defense caliber perimeter defender, too. With more minutes and responsibilities, the NBA community will catch up to how destructive he is on that side of the ball.

Banchero and Wagner would deal with these hounds every second they are on the floor. Javonte Green and Paul Reed match up with them nicely as well. Wagner has been solid in the postseason, but unlike Banchero, his jumper has abandoned him. He shoots 22 percent on 71 attempts. Those two could struggle against this Pistons D.

Orlando’s defensive identity has left the building. They are not defending at an elite level like they have done the past two years. Without an elite defense to take advantage of a questionable Pistons half-court offense, one needs a great offense with snipers to compete with Detroit. Orlando does not have that either. Desmond Bane and Tristan da Silva are knockdown shooters who need attention, but that probably will not be enough.

Every game counts for Orlando in the standings race, and Detroit approaches every game like it is in that boat. The Pistons may have clinched the top seed in the East, but they will not bow out tonight. Orlando better bring it.