Boston’s Big 3 vs. Dwight and the Magic
The Boston Celtics (35-9 SU, 24-20 ATS, 18-25-1 O/U) have won five straight games in the BetUS Sportsbook. The Orlando Magic (33-8 SU, 28-12-1 ATS, 19-22 O/U) have won each of their last seven outings. Tonight, the Eastern Conference powers will both be looking to record an SU and ATS victory for BetUS NBA sports betting backers when they meet at Amway Arena.
The Celtics jumped all over the Miami Heat on Wednesday, getting out to an early 19-point lead they would never relinquish en route to a 98-83 victory.
Boston covered the 6-point spread for BetUS NBA sports betting backers while the game’s 181 total points fell UNDER the posted O/U total of 187.
Veteran shooting guard Ray Allen led the way with 27 points, five rebounds, and five assists while reserve perimeter threat Eddie House added 25 points off the bench.
Despite all the hype surrounding tonight’s contest, the Celtics say they view and approach every game the same way.
“We’ve taken on the mentality that every team deserves that same amount of respect by us preparing equally as hard every time we play,” Allen said. “If you come in with a relaxed attitude, you end up losing. So you’ve got to have that attitude up here at all times.”
“Every night we play, the team has us circled. The trick is that we have to circle them back,” Celtics coach Doc Rivers said. “If we can pull that off, then we can be really good. … We’re playing for home-court every night. Doesn’t matter who the opponent is. And that’s key.”
The Magic also recorded an emphatic win their last time out, defeating the Denver Nuggets 106-88 on Saturday to cover the spread in the BetUS Sportsbook as1.5-point underdogs at home. The 194 total points went UNDER the posted O/U total of 209.5.
Sweet-shooting forward Hedo Turkoglu turned in a strong performance with 31 points, four rebounds and five assists while veteran point guard Jameer Nelson added 23 points and forward Rashard Lewis chipped in with 21.
The Magic say they’ve had tonight’s game circled on their calendar for quite some time even if their opponents don’t feel the same way.
“They’re the team we’ve been watching,” Magic center Dwight Howard said. “The Lakers and the Celtics, they’re the two best teams. They were in the finals last year. We want to be just like those teams. We look up to the Celtics, the way they play, their chemistry, the way the approach things on the floor. We want to become a great team like that.”
At 33-8, Orlando has matched its franchise record for best 41-game start and is coming off a road trip where they toppled all three Western Conference division leaders.
“It means a lot,” Magic forward Rashard Lewis said. “Obviously, Eastern Conference game, one of the best teams in the conference, last year’s champion. We’re at a point where we want to get home-court advantage throughout the whole playoffs, so this game means a lot. At the end of the season, it’s going to come down to games like this.”
Here is a look at tonight’s key trends, followed by my in-depth analysis and NBA Free Picks.
Boston is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Boston’s last 5 games when playing on the road against Orlando
Boston is 14-6 SU in its last 20 games on the road
Boston is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games when playing Orlando
Orlando is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
Orlando is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games
Orlando is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
Orlando is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Boston
NBA Odds
Boston Celtics +4½ -110
Orlando Magic -4½ -110
Over 191½ -110
Under 191½ -110
Analysis: While the Magic are undeniably one of the best teams in the league this season and have a head coach I absolutely love in Stan Van Gundy, I think the red-hot Celtics would like to really send a message to the rest of the Eastern Conference – and themselves – by going all-out for the big road win tonight.
Even in a worst-case scenario, I think the Celtics cover the spread in what looks like a barn-burner waiting to happen.
