The Pistons face the Magic tonight in an Eastern Conference clash that could be a sneak peak into a future rivalry. Although Orlando has dominated the matchup recently, winning 6 of the last 7 games, both teams are in a similar stage of team building. They’re built around consecutive #1 overall picks in Cade Cunningham and Paolo Banchero, who are both looking to establish themselves as top players in the East this year and in the future.
The Pistons and Magic are both on the rise
Both teams made the playoffs last season and were just one spot apart in the standings. They were both predicted to take another leap this season due to progression from their young players. The Magic also took an additional step to add Desmond Bane via trade over the offseason, which was meant to give them an added shooter to elevate the offense.
However, the Pistons and Magic have disappointed to start the season. Though the Pistons stand at 2-2, the effort in their losses (and every game in general) has been poor enough to raise some concerns. The Magic, on the other hand, have started the season just 1-3 with losses to the Hawks, Bulls and 76ers.
For both teams, offense has been a struggle. Even with Bane, the Magic’s shooting as a team hasn’t been sufficient enough to generate efficient offense. Opposing defenses are still able to crowd Banchero and force him into contested shots rather than giving him space as they respect other shooters.
The Pistons have seen a similar story with Cade, who is continuing to struggle with turning the ball over. Cade has struggled to score the ball himself, especially at the beginning of games. Facing off with a tough Magic team that thrives on defense won’t help matters, but it’s an opportunity for him to reestablish his footing.
Cade and the Pistons should take every game against the Magic very seriously. They’re a direct conference rival who will likely finish in close proximity in the standings. And they are a direct rival for the future with a young core around the same age as the Pistons’ stars.
The similarities in playstyle and attitude between the teams promise to make it an even more exciting affair. This game should see physicality and intensity from both sides. We shouldn’t expect the scores to be too high, but the defenses will put on a show.
The Pistons can reassert themselves within the East hierarchy with a dominant showing against the Magic. After an unceremonious loss to the Cavs, they’re reeling and in desperate need of a bounceback. Although the Magic have struggled so far, they are still considered a possible contender in the East and a win over them would be a big feather in Detroit’s cap.