3 matchups the Pistons have to win to beat the Magic
Detroit Pistons vs. Orlando Magic: Key matchups for the game
Saddiq Bey vs. Franz Wagner
This is a great matchup of two small forwards and both guys will be eager to get the upper hand, as both players have played well against each other’s teams.
Bey has averaged 20.6 points, 7.4 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game in seven contests against the Magic and Wagner has averaged 19.5 points, 3.5 rebounds and 1.5 assists against the Pistons, so it’s pretty much been a wash in the head-to-head matchups.
Bey did have his big 51 point night against the Magic but Wagner had 24 and 26 points against Detroit in the final two matchups of last season.
light. Related Story. Saddiq Bey needs to emulate this player
For Bey, it will really just come down to which guy we get, as he has been too much all or nothing in his career, either lighting it up or unable to make a shot. Hopefully we’ll see more consistency and efficiency out of him this season, but he has a tough matchup tonight against Wagner, who looks ready to make a huge leap this season.
One area Bey has dominated is on the boards, and Detroit will need him tonight, as they will be at a size disadvantage with Marvin Bagley III out with injury.
Both teams will look to use their talented backcourts to set up the forwards for shots, so this game may come down to which guy makes more of them from long range. Will we see more of the 51 point Bey tonight or the guy who often went 0-for-8 from long range last season?