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Pistons vs Magic Prediction, Picks & Odds for Friday's NBA Playoffs Game 6

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The Detroit Pistons stayed their execution for a few more days, but the odds are still against them. The Orlando Magic may be one-bucket underdogs in this Game 6, but my Pistons vs. Magic predictions and these NBA picks expect Detroit’s silver bullet from Game 5 to go missing on Friday, May 1.

Pistons vs Magic prediction

Pistons vs Magic best bet: Jalen Duren Under 13.5 Points (-112)

The fact that the Orlando Magic shot 17-of-38 from deep in Game 5 and still trailed throughout demands a closer look at the box score. Ah, there it is. The Detroit Pistons outrebounded the Magic by 16, including snagging 16 offensive rebounds compared to just eight for Orlando.

The Pistons corralling 39.0% of available offensive rebounds is wildly impressive and something that the Magic should focus on correcting heading into this Game 6.

Jalen Duren led Detroit on the offensive glass, grabbing five offensive rebounds that yielded four points for the center. And yet, he still scored just 12 points. In fact, Duren has not cleared this points prop in any of the five games of this series.

He averaged 19.5 points per game in the regular season, which explains oddsmakers’ reluctance to lower this points prop further. He was also taking 11.5 shots per game, compared to just 7.6 shots per game in this series.

Chalk some of that up to the Magic defense. And chalk some of it up to the change in the game come the postseason. Possessions take longer, defenders are allowed to be more physical, and superstars tend to hang onto the ball even more often.

Duren is not going to become a scorer at any point in this series, not even when he hits the offensive glass.

Pistons vs Magic same-game parlay

While Duren has not scored more than 12 points in any game in this series, he also has not reached double-digit boards in any of the five games. Grabbing five offensive rebounds in Game 5 was vital, but Duren still topped out at nine total boards.

That offensive rebounding emphasis should be countered by Orlando tonight, and removing that gear from the Pistons should tilt this game toward the Magic.

Pistons vs Magic SGP

• Jalen Duren Under 13.5 Points
• Jalen Duren Under 9.5 Rebounds
• Magic +3

Our “from downtown” SGP: Onward, Orlando

If Detroit had not so thrived on the offensive glass in Game 5, it likely would have been the fourth game out of five in this series to cash its Under. Betting against Duren because those offensive rebounds should not be as available also coincides with a bet on the Under as well as a bet on Orlando winning this series at home.

Pistons vs Magic SGP

• Jalen Duren Under 13.5 Points
• Jalen Duren Under 9.5 Rebounds
• Under 211
• Magic Moneyline

Pistons vs Magic odds for Game 6

• Spread: Detroit -3 | Orlando +3
• Moneyline: Detroit -155 | Orlando +130
• Over/Under: Over 211 | Under 211

Pistons vs Magic betting trend to know

It should be mentioned somewhere in this preview that Orlando is 4-1 against the spread in this series, exceeding bookmakers’ expectations by an average of 7.1 points even when including the sole ATS loss. Find more NBA betting trends for Pistons vs. Magic.

How to watch Pistons vs Magic Game 6

Pistons vs Magic latest injuries

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The Lakers are relocating, sort of. G-League team moving to Palm Springs

The Los Angeles Lakers are relocating and rebranding.

No, not those Lakers. Well yes, but not exactly.

The Lakers announced Thursday that its G-League affiliate South Bay Lakers will no longer play their home games at UCLA Health Training Center in El Segundo, California, instead moving the team to the Greater Palm Springs region and renaming them the Coachella Valley Lakers.

At the start of the 2026-27 NBA G-League season, the Coachella Valley Lakers will play their home games Acrisure Arena, an 11,000-max capacity multi-purpose event venue in Palm Desert.

“I have enjoyed a long-time relationship with Jerry and Jeanie Buss, Lon Rosen and Linda Rambis. And I am beyond thrilled to have the Coachella Valley Lakers call OVG’s Acrisure Arena their home. Go Lakers,” Oak View Group Senior Partner Irving Azoff said in a news release.

The venue has been mainly used for concerts, comedy shows and hockey games. The facility serves as the home of the American Hockey League affiliate of the Seattle Kraken, the Coachella Valley Firebirds.

The Lakers have also hosted a couple of NBA preseason games at Acrisure Arena in 2024, against the Minnesota Timberwolves and Phoenix Suns on Oct. 4 and 6, respectively.

“Moving the Lakers G League team to the Coachella Valley is an incredible opportunity for the organization,” Lakers president of business operations Lon Rosen said in a press release. “The Lakers have had a strong presence in the region for decades, from the Showtime Lakers holding training camp in the 1980s to more recent preseason games.

“We are looking forward to extending that experience and becoming a staple for Coachella Valley sports and entertainment. Acrisure Arena is the perfect modern venue that provides an incredible fan-first experience, while ensuring players have the premium facilities and space they need on game day.”

Season ticket deposits starting at $100 per account are available online at coachellavalleylakers.com. Season tickets are fully refundable at the time of seat selection, the team said.

In two decades, the franchise has recorded 60 NBA call-ups across 38 players.

The Lakers’ G-League team has a knack for finding raw talent and developing them into quality NBA talent, from current Laker Austin Reaves, two-time champion Alex Caruso, NBA All-Star Brandon Ingram, Josh Hart, Lonzo Ball and even Kyle Kuzma, who played a role in the Lakers’ 2020 NBA championship.

And it’s been the case most recently with Bronny James Jr., Dalton Knecht, Adou Thiero, Kobe Bufkin and Nick Smith Jr. This past season, the South Bay Lakers clinched the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference with a 26-10 regular-season record.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Lakers G-League team moves to Palm Springs now Coachella Valley Lakers

Steve Kerr reportedly had productive meeting with Warriors brass about future; decision not expected until next week

Steve Kerr’s future with the Golden State Warriors is still up in the air, and a resolution isn’t expected until next week at the earliest. 

Kerr met with owner Joe Lacob and general manager Mike Dunleavy for two hours on Monday, according to ESPN, but the two sides did not determine whether Kerr would remain the franchise’s head coach next season. The meeting was described as productive, according to the report. 

The three men plan to meet again next week to continue discussions. Kerr is set to take a golfing trip to close out the week, and he is reportedly “torn” about his decision.

“It’s April,” a source told ESPN. “We don’t need to rush.”

Kerr has spent the past 12 seasons with the Warriors, and oversaw their dynasty-level run throughout the NBA. The franchise won four titles under his watch and reached the NBA Finals six times in eight years, including in each of his first five seasons at the helm. The team won 73 games during the 2015-16 season, too, which broke the all-time wins record set by the 1995-96 Chicago Bulls. Kerr was also a member of that Bulls team.

But the Warriors have struggled in recent years. They went just 37-45 this season and missed the playoffs for the second time in three years. Kerr had an emotional moment with stars Stephen Curry and Draymond Green on the court at the end of their final game. 

“I don’t know what’s going to happen next, but I love you guys to death,” Kerr was heard telling the duo. “Thank you. Appreciate you.”

Kerr has been pretty open about knowing that his time with the Warriors may come to an end since that loss. Green even predicted that Kerr wouldn’t be around next season. The Warriors reportedly want Kerr to sign a multiyear extension this offseason, rather than return for a farewell tour-type season. 

“I don’t know what’s going to happen,” Kerr said after their final game. “I still love coaching, but I get it. These jobs all have an expiration date. There’s a run that happens, and sometimes it’s time for new blood and new ideas and all that.

“If that’s the case, then I will be nothing but grateful for the most amazing opportunity any person could have to coach in front of our fans in the Bay, to coach Steph Curry, to coach Dray, the whole group. It may still go on, it may not. I don’t know at this point.”

Where to watch Philadelphia 76ers vs. Boston Celtics Game 5 NBA playoffs: Live stream, start time, TV channel, odds for Tuesday, April 28

The Boston Celtics will try to close out their first-round playoff series against the Philadelphia 76ers in Game 5. Boston won the past two games to take a 3-1 series lead. With one more win, the Celtics will advance to play the winner of the Atlanta Hawks-New York Knicks series. Boston is favored by 11.5 points in Game 5.

How to watch Philadelphia 76ers vs. Boston Celtics

• Date: Tuesday, April 28

• Time: 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT

• Where: TD Garden, Boston, Massachusetts

• TV Channels: ESPN

• Live Stream:NBA League Pass | Follow on Yahoo Sports

Odds

• Spread: Boston Celtics -11.5

• Moneyline: Boston Celtics -600 (81.8%) / Philadelphia 76ers +425 (18.2%)

• Over/Under: 213.5

Series results, schedule

Game 1:Celtics 123, 76ers 91
Game 2:76ers 111, Celtics 97
Game 3:Celtics 108, 76ers 100
Game 4:Celtics 128, 76ers 96
Game 5: Tue., April 28 at Boston (7 p.m., ESPN)
*Game 6: Thu., April 30 at Philadelphia (TBD)
*Game 7: Sat., May 2 at Boston (TBD)if necessary

Where to watch Atlanta Hawks vs. New York Knicks Game 5 NBA playoffs: Live stream, start time, TV channel, odds for Tuesday, April 28

The Atlanta Hawks take on the New York Knicks with their first-round playoff series tied 2-2 heading into Game 5. The Knicks evened the series with a 114-98 victory on Saturday. New York is back at home and favored by 6.5 points in Game 5.

How to watch Atlanta Hawks vs. New York Knicks

• Date: Tuesday, April 28

• Time: 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT

• Where: Madison Square Garden, New York, New York

• TV Channels: NBC, Peacock

• Live Stream:NBA League Pass | Follow on Yahoo Sports

Odds

• Spread: New York Knicks -6.5

• Moneyline: New York Knicks -275 (70.4%) / Atlanta Hawks +225 (29.6%)

• Over/Under: 213.5

Series results, schedule

Game 1:Knicks 113, Hawks 102
Game 2:Hawks 107, Knicks 106
Game 3:Hawks 109, Knicks 108
Game 4:Knicks 114, Hawks 98
Game 5: Tue., April 28,at New York (8 p.m., NBC/Peacock)
Game 6: Thu., April 30, at Atlanta (TBD)
*Game 7: Sat., May 2, at New York (TBD)

*if necessary

Celtics and Spurs can advance on Tuesday. The Knicks and Hawks play the first pivotal Game 5 of 2026

GREENBURGH, N.Y. (AP) — After the Boston Celtics rolled in Philadelphia and the San Antonio Spurs roared back in Portland, the No. 2 seeds in the NBA playoffs are on the verge of advancing.

The New York Knicks and Atlanta Hawks might still need a while to settle things in their series.

Game 5 with a 2-2 tie has long been the pivotal moment of a series, and the first one of this postseason arrives Tuesday night at Madison Square Garden.

In seven-game series that were tied 2-2, the team that took Game 5 won 81.5% of the time. It’s a pressure-packed moment, and coach Mike Brown believes his Knicks are prepared for it.

“This group’s a relentless group. They’re an experienced group. They perform best, it seems, when their backs are against the wall, so I believe our guys are ready,” Brown said Monday.

The other two Game 5s on Tuesday can finish series. The Celtics are up 3-1 on the 76ers and the Spurs hold the same lead on the Trail Blazers, with both teams in position to wrap things up on their home floor.

However, the Celtics and Spurs both lost Game 2 of their series when they last played at home.

So did the No. 3-seeded Knicks, who then went and dropped Game 3 in Atlanta before evening things with a 114-98 victory on Saturday. They know they are already facing another trip to Atlanta for Game 6 on Thursday but don’t want to be having to save their season of huge expectations that night by blowing another game on their home court first.

“This is what we work all year for, what you work all summer for, for an opportunity to play in the playoffs, and there’s not a lot of motivation left that’s needed really,” All-Star Jalen Brunson said. “It’s just, this is an opportunity for teams to go and put their names in history if they want it. So that’s the only motivation.”

Philadelphia 76ers at Boston Celtics

When/Where to Watch: Game 5, 7 p.m. EDT (ESPN)

Series: Celtics lead, 3-1.

Betting line: Celtics by 11.5.

What to Know: The Celtics made a franchise playoff-record 24 3-pointers in their 128-96 victory in Game 4 on Sunday — their second 32-point victory of the series. Joel Embiid had 26 points and 10 rebounds in 34 minutes in his return after having an appendectomy on April 9, but their big man can’t save the 76ers unless they get back the VJ Edgecombe they had in their Game 2 victory in Boston. The rookie guard scored 30 points that night but totaled just 16 and shot 7 for 26 in the two games in Philadelphia.

Atlanta Hawks at New York Knicks

When/Where to Watch: Game 3, 8 p.m. EDT (NBC/Peacock)

Series: Tied, 2-2.

Betting line: Knicks by 6.5.

What to Know: The Knicks have appeared to be the better team during long stretches of the series, leading by 19 points in Game 1, 14 in the second half of Game 2 and 24 in Game 4. Yet the Hawks pulled out two one-point victories, including Game 2 at MSG. CJ McCollum averaged 29 points in the two games in New York and the Hawks hope he’ll get more support in Game 5 from Nickeil Alexander-Walker, the winner of the Most Improved Player award who shot just 9 for 29 in Games 1 and 2.

Portland Trail Blazers at San Antonio Spurs

When/Where to Watch: Game 3, 9:30 p.m. EDT (ESPN)

Series: Spurs lead, 3-1.

Betting line: Spurs by 12.5.

What to Know: The Spurs wiped out a 15-point deficit in Game 3 and then stormed back from 19 down in Game 4. Victor Wembanyama looked fine on Sunday, finishing with 27 points, 11 rebounds and seven blocked shots after missing Game 3 with a concussion that he sustained in Game 2. Scoot Henderson was the star of Portland’s rally for victory in that game with 31 points, but the guard is coming off a scoreless, 0-for-7 performance in Game 4. Meanwhile, San Antonio’s starting guards have been terrific with or without Wembanyama. Stephon Castle averaged 24.5 points and De’Aaron Fox 23 in the two games in Portland.

___

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba

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