NBA Basketball
2026-04-22 - Orlando Magic at Detroit Pistons
A Sports Betting Pick by FirstDown
United States : NBA Basketball Playoffs First Round Game 2
Wednesday 22nd April 2026 - Scheduled 7pm EST
12am (British Time)
Preview
They say a NBA Playoff Series doesn't really begin until a road team has won so this is the only First Round Series that has 'gotten underway' after the completion of all of the Game 1s.
The Eastern Conference top Seed Detroit Pistons were the only home favourite beaten over the weekend and they will be looking for a big response to avoid falling into a really precarious position in the Series.
Adjustments can be made- the Pistons shot poorly outside of Cade Cunningham and the role players who had maintained the push for the top Seed in Cunningham's absence in the regular season will be looking to step up. They have shown they can do that, while the Pistons never really recovered from the early onslaught put on them by the Orlando Magic, who had played two Play In Tournament games before securing the Number 8 Seed in the Playoffs.
That may have been a factor, but the Pistons cannot use it as an excuse and they have to show much better intensity right away.
The Orlando Magic will already feel they have had a successful road trip by stealing home court from the Number 1 Seed, but this is a veteran team with plenty of experience and they will know the importance of trying to secure the second win.
In Game 1, Orlando were the better team from the field, but they will also feel there is room for improvement having struggled from the three point range. Improving those numbers will really give them an opportunity to secure a second upset in this First Round Series, while the intensity and determination shown by the players was mostly reflected on the boards and the edge Orlando had in those numbers.
You have to believe this Pistons team will respond with only a couple of days of rest between Game 1 and Game 2 rather than a full week preparing for the opening game of the First Round Series. Some of those behind Cade Cunningham will believe they've gotten the poor game of the Series out of the way already and Detroit finished with the Number 1 Seed for a reason.
In recent years, Number 1 Seeds who are trailing in a First Round Series have been a good team to back with a solid 9-4 record against the spread, while home teams playing after a defeat have also tended to have a positive response.
On Monday night, the Cleveland Cavaliers maintained a very strong covering record for big favourites in the First Round and the Pistons are expected to be better in Game 2 as they look to at least have this Series levelled up before travelling to Florida for two games.
All credit has to be given to Orlando for the performance in Game 1, but the Pistons are the call to bounce back.
Prediction
Lay the points with the home favourite as the Number 1 Seed looks to bounce back from an opening defeat in this First Round Series.
The Pick :
Detroit Pistons 114-102 Orlando Magic
