The two worst teams in the Eastern Conference — the Orlando Magic and the Detroit Pistons — have the two lowest NBA regular-season win totals heading into the second half of the season, according to a recent update by DraftKings.
The Magic (8-37) have the worst record in the NBA, while the Pistons (10-33) are the second-worst team. Both teams occupy the bottom two places in the Eastern Conference standings. It’s no surprise to see the two lowest-scoring teams in the NBA struggling with the two worst records.
| NBA Win Totals – Magic and Pistons |
- Orlando Magic 19.5 o/u
- Detroit Pistons 21.5 o/u
If you think the Magic can win 20 or more games, that win totals wager is -125 odds. Under 20 wins for the Magic is worth -105.
If you have confidence that the Pistons win 22 or more games, that win totals wager is worth -130 odds. The under 22 wins for the Pistons is even money at +100.
O-town basement
The Magic finally snapped a 10-game losing streak, but then followed that up with a two-game skid. They have yet to reach double digits in wins through the first 45 games of the season. To hit an over bet in their win totals, the Magic would have to go 12-25 over their final 37 games.
The young and inexperienced Magic could gel in the second half and play much better, which is an argument that they’d finish the season on a strong note.
Then again, they finally have Markelle Fultz back after an ACL injury. Keep an eye on the trade deadline, though, as the Magic could unload Fultz or Terrance Ross, who seems like a senior citizen in the locker room at 30-years old. He comes off the bench to provide a scoring punch averaging 12.2 ppg this season. Ross was mentioned in trade rumors with the Cleveland Cavaliers, who need help in the backcourt.
The Magic are one of the rare teams that play better on the road than at home at the Amway Center. They are the worst home team in the NBA at 2-16 while winning three times as many games on the road at 6-21. The sad thing is, the Magic have twice as many home games (25) than road games (12) in the second half of the season.
The Magic have a five-game homestand coming up with a chance to finally reach double-digit wins. One of those games is against the Detroit Pistons, but they also face the LA Lakers, Chicago Bulls, LA Clippers, and Dallas Mavericks.
Misery in Motown
The Detroit Pistons are another team that could be active at the trade deadline. Jerami Grant (20.1 ppg, 4.8 rebounds) is coveted by numerous teams, including the Lakers and Mavs. If the Pistons trade away their top player, then they’re in full-blown tank mode, so betting under their win totals of 21.5 could be enticing.
The Pistons have one of the worst road records in the NBA with a 3-19 clip. They have 19 more games away from home in the second half of the season, but play 20 more games at home at Little Caesars Arena.
The Pistons were awarded the #1 pick in the 2021 NBA Draft when they hit the lottery despite not having the worst record last season. They had an easy choice to make and selected Cade Cunningham from Oklahoma State. Cunningham was the consensus #1 pick across the board as early as Christmas 2020.
Cunningham sprained his ankle in the preseason, which attributed to his slow start. But once he got the hang of the pro game, he’s played much better, averaging 15.4 ppg.
The Pistons are currently in the middle of a losing road trip on the West Coast. They have upcoming games against the Sacramento Kings, Utah Jazz, and the Denver Nuggets. The Pistons can’t wait to play the Magic next week for a shot at finally getting an easy opponent.
