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PRO BASKETBALL — May 7
Game 3 — Eastern Conference Playoffs
DETROIT (+4.5) at ORLANDO (Total 187) — Since losing that third game to Philadelphia, the Pistons have really responded to the wakeup call, winning and covering their last five games and playing more like a championship contender and less like the next team to get gobbled up by the Boston Celtics. During that time they’ve limited opponents to 81 points per game, and that means they are being successful at controlling tempo. Orlando was not only a good pointspread team on the road (27-14 ATS), they also got the job done at home (24-15-2 ATS), but they’re just not winning the game of matchups. And even after hitting ten three-pointers on Monday, they could not cover. Detroit has won 12 of the last 14 meetings, and five of the last six at the Amway Arena. The Magic, like other teams now and before it, does not play the kind of game that seems conducive to playoff basketball. Dwight Howard had 22 points and 18 rebounds in Game 2, but he averaged just 17 and 11, respectively, against the Pistons this season. We’re happy to grab points here.
JAY’S PLAY: DETROIT ***
