Tuesday NBA: Orlando Magic at Detroit Pistons :WagerWeb Entertainment

Tuesday NBA: Orlando Magic at Detroit Pistons

3 November 2009 86 views No Comment

There’s really no question that the Orlando Magic are a better team than the Detroit Pistons, but the Magic were much better last year too and were 0-3 against Detroit in 2008-09. In fact, the Pistons have had Orlando’s number for years, winning 19 of the past 24 meetings. Dating back to Jan. 13, 2003, the Magic are 6-30 against the Pistons (including a 1-11 mark in the playoffs).

The Magic averaged 87.0 points in their three losses to the Pistons last season — 14 below their season average — but they’ve had little trouble scoring in the first three games of 2009-10, reaching 120 in two of those contests including a 125-116 victory over Toronto on Sunday. The put up 125 without Vince Carter, who sat out with a sprained left ankle. Also out was small forward Mickael Pietrus with the flu; it’s not clear yet if either player will go tonight against Detroit – bet on the game at WagerWeb.com.

Ryan Anderson, who was basically an afterthought in the Carter trade with New Jersey, has been great for Orlando starting in place of Rashard Lewis, who still has seven games to go on his suspension. Anderson is averaging 17.3 points per game, second only to Dwight Howard’s 21.7 ppg and is hitting 11-of-20 from the 3-point line.

The Magic (3-0) have never started a season winning their first four games in their 21-year history.

Detroit will be down a key player for sure tonight as Richard Hamilton will miss a third straight game with a sprained right ankle. He was injured in last week’s season-opening win at Memphis and X-rays on the ankle were negative. It’s thought he won’t get back until Friday at the earliest. Hamilton has led Detroit in scoring for seven straight seasons. The Pistons struggled offensively without him in losses to Oklahoma City and Milwaukee, scoring 168 total points. Ben Gordon started at shooting guard in Rip’s place and will again tonight.