Magic vs. Pistons Same-Game Parlay for NBA Playoffs Game 1

Free NBA picks for Sunday's series opener in Detroit

Apr. 18, 2026 at 11:14pm

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A fragmented, geometric painting depicting a basketball game between two teams, with sharp, overlapping shapes and planes representing the action on the court.A cubist interpretation of the opening game between the upstart Orlando Magic and top-seeded Detroit Pistons, as the home team looks to defend their court in the NBA Playoffs.Today in Orlando

With the Orlando Magic facing the Detroit Pistons in the opening round of the NBA Playoffs, a same-game parlay featuring Pistons forward Ausar Thompson and star guard Cade Cunningham is the best bet for Game 1 at Little Caesars Arena.

Why it matters

The Pistons are the East's top seed and will be looking to defend their home court against the upstart Magic, who are making their first playoff appearance in several years. This same-game parlay highlights key contributors from both teams as they kick off their postseason matchup.

The details

Ausar Thompson is expected to have a big impact for the Pistons, as he's gone over his points, rebounds, and assists prop in five of his last eight games. Meanwhile, Cade Cunningham is coming off a strong regular season and should record a double-double with his ability to stuff the stat sheet.

  • The Magic vs. Pistons Game 1 is scheduled for Sunday, April 19, 2026.

The players

Ausar Thompson

A key contributor for the Detroit Pistons, averaging 9.9 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 3.1 assists per game during the regular season.

Cade Cunningham

The star guard for the Detroit Pistons, who averaged 23.9 points per game during the regular season and has recorded 10+ assists in 8 of his last 12 contests.

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What’s next

The winner of this first-round series between the Magic and Pistons will advance to face the winner of the Bucks vs. Cavaliers series in the Eastern Conference semifinals.

The takeaway

This same-game parlay highlights key contributors from both the Magic and Pistons as they kick off their first-round playoff matchup, with the home-court advantage expected to give the top-seeded Pistons the edge in Game 1.