NBA betting players are waiting to see if Orlando can replicate their success of last season, when they went to the NBA Finals before losing to the Los Angeles Lakers in five games. The Magic have changed a couple of pieces, and they’ll head to Detroit on Tuesday night, but the Pistons may not be the sad-sack team they were last year.

The Magic have won their first three games of the year, led by Dwight Howard’s 21.7 points and 16.0 rebounds, not to mention 2.33 blocks. “Superman” is even hitting 63.6% of his foul shots, although that was boosted by a 14-of-16 performance from the line in Sunday’s 125-116 win in Toronto. The Magic are waiting to see how Vince Carter’s ankle holds up, as the man who was brought in to replace Hedo Turkoglu (who ironically went to Toronto, Carter’s old club) was hurt in his return to New Jersey last week. The biggest surprise so far? J.J. Redick, who is averaging 16.3 points and lit up the Raptors for 27 points on Sunday.

The Pistons are still working Ben Gordon and Charlie Villeneuva into the lineup, and Villeneuva may be their tallest player with a chance to score, because right now it looks like the Pistons will be dominated by the trio of Gordon, Rip Hamilton and Rodney Stuckey. Detroit has lost two of their first three, but it’s still very early in the season. A major question is Ben Wallace, who returned to Detroit: can he play over 32 minutes a game like he has so far? And even if he can, is it good for the Pistons?

Orlando should be the NBA betting favorite at home, but they’ve now dropped five straight against the Pistons, including all three meetings last year. For whatever reason, the Pistons have the Magic’s number, but that should stop this year. The Pistons are too small to deal with Howard inside, and if their outside shooters go cold, it could turn into a rout. Meanwhile, the Magic have hit over 47% of their three-point attempts so far.

NBA northbet.com pick: Orlando