When Date: March 9 When Date: March 9

Game Preview: Detroit vs. Orlando

facebooktwitterreddit

When

Date: March 9, 2009

Time: 7:30 p.m.

Records

Detroit: 31-30

Orlando: 46-16

Probable starters

Detroit:

PGSGSFPFC

Rodney

StuckeyRichard

HamiltonTayshaun

PrinceAntonio

McDyessRasheed

Wallace

Orlando:

PGSGSFPFC

Rafer

AlstonCourtney

LeeHedu

TurkogluRashard

LewisDwight

Howard

Las Vegas projection

Spread: Detroit +2

Over/under: 187

Score: Orlando wins 95-93

Statistical projection

Detroit offensive rating: 106.6

Detroit defensive rating: 107.1

Detroit pace: 87.1

Orlando offensive rating: 109.9

Orlando defensive rating: 102.4

Orlando pace: 92.6

Score: Orlando wins 97-94

Outlook

The Pistons have owned the Magic. Detroit is 8-2 in its last 10 regular-season matchups and 8-1 in its last nine post-season matchups with Orlando.

One of the biggest reasons’ for the Pistons’ success is their ability to guard Dwight Howard with double-teaming.

I don’t have time for a lengthy preview, but I’ll leave you with a quick question. Would you rather Detroit be the sixth seed and play the Magic in the first round, or be the fifth seed and play Atlanta?

Remember, Atlanta swept the season series (3-0). Detroit is 2-0 against Orlando.