Detroit Pistons vs. Orlando Magic 2019-20 season preview
Magic O vs. Pistons D
The Pistons were seventh in points allowed per game, giving up 107.3 per contest. Teams did not convert 3-pointers at a high level against them, shooting 34.5 percent (ninth best defensive percentage in the NBA).
Teams have made a living off drawing fouls against Detroit though. The Pistons allowed, on average, 23.7 free throw attempts per game (10th most in the NBA). The Thunder, Warriors, Clippers and Sixers were the only playoff teams that allowed more but that can be attributed to pace.
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That is where Orlando can take advantage, driving through the lane and drawing contact to get to the free throw line. In the two-point win last season, the Magic were 22-of-24 from the free throw line. This can negate some of the 3-point shooting deficiencies they’ve experienced.
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Detroit has to trust that Drummond will hold his own in the paint against Vucevic. Orlando is looking for increased production from Gordon, whose true shooting percentage has hovered around his career average of 53.8 percent, and Isaac.
The third-year wing saw a bump in his true shooting percentage from 46.5 percent as a rookie to 53.7 percent last season. He’s a defensive menace (3.1 defensive win shares last season) that could take his game to the next level with an increase in usage offensively.
At 6-foot-10 with a 7-foot-1 wingspan, he is a mismatch on the perimeter and get more touches as a result. His usage rate was only 16.3 percent last season and if that bumps up over 20 and he’s taking around 12 shot attempts per game instead of the 8.3 he averaged last year, the Magic could find an offensive weapon they’ve been looking for, and the Pistons would have no answer defensively.