Analysis: Detroit - Orlando

A weak start of tournaments for several seasons in a row is the trademark of Detroit Pistons. This time the Pistons will host Orlando Magic which has also had a false start.

Position in the table and team condition:
As we’ve already mentioned the beginning of the season wasn’t fortunate for either of the teams. Pistons lost two first matches against Indiana (91:79) and Cleveland (89:105). The “Magics” were also defeated by Oklahoma (97:89) during their inauguration but rehabilitated two days later in a winning match in Florida against Huston (104:95).

Potential and team situation:
It is hard to evaluate conditions of the teams at the current tournament’s stage, but the sparrings before the season have showed that Pistons can forget about the play-off stage. The team from Detroit fought against the “Cavaliers” who also have to play an insignificant role in the East. The new club owner Tom Gores instead of strengthening the team let the best basketball player (McGrady and Hamilton) leave. Among new players (Wilkins, White, Day and Knight) only the latter deserves attention. Brandon Knight, a playmaking defender, a graduate of the famous Kentucky University, but all this isn’t enough to seriously think about play-off. The biggest problem of the “Pistons” is definitely the game in the zone under the basket. Absence of players at the positions 4-5 was noticeable in the first two matches against Indiana and Cleveland when Frank Laurence’s players fought for rebounds, respectively (40-53) and (26:40). In the match against Orlando they will have to fight with the best NBA center player – Dwight Howard.
“The Supermen” have completely rehabilitated in the match with “Rockets” after a weak match against Oklahoma and earned 21 points in 7 rebounds. Stan Van Gundy can apprehend the weak condition of Jameer Nelson who scored only 2 points against Huston. On the other hand Ryan Anderson and J.J. Redick perform well. It seems that “Magic” disposes of a strong five in the basis. Unfortunately the reserve players except from Glen Davis and Quentin Richardson present themselves in a weak form. Van Gundy will most likely not create a miracle and form a strong team which could be able to fight for the Champion’s title of NBA from these players. However this lineup is sufficient for the match against Pistons.

History of meetings:
Two previous confrontations between Pistons and Magic in Detroit resulted in the wins of Orlando with the scores 86:91 and 91:104.

Tips and grounds:
Since Detroit won the League Championship in 2004 the club has been rolling down. Previous games were catastrophic and the club was left only by two key players. A massive gap in the penalty zone is the main problem at the moment what could have been seen in the first match of Pistons. The high basketball players of the “pistons” have virtually no chance in battles with Howard. The team from Florida has a better lineup and has to win this match easily.

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