NBA Handicapping Predictions – 76ers vs Magic
The Magic are coming off a win, but they have only gone 3-7 in their last 10 games and without Superman Dwight Howard in the lineup they have struggled.
Venue/ Stadium: Amway Center, Orlando, FL
Time/Date: 8 PM EST Monday, April 16, 2012
NCAA Odds From: Bovada
Moneyline: OFF
Spread (ATS): 76ers -4.5
Over/Under: 181.5
Philadelphia 76ers vs. Orlando Magic Preview
The 76ers have also not been playing well losing 6 of their last 10 games and they are only 1/2 game ahead of the Knicks for the 7th spot in the Eastern Conference. NBA lines have the 76ers as 4.5-point away favorites with a total of 181.5.
In their last games the Magic beat the Cleveland Cavaliers 100-84 while the 76ers lost to the New Jersey Nets 95-89.
This season the 76ers are 29-29-1 ATS with an O/U record of 24-35 and the Magic are 31-29 ATS with an O/U record of 29-29-2.
Not only is Howard out, but also Hedo Turkoglu is also out with an injury and in their last game they lost Glen Davis, who is questionable for this game with a sprained knee.
The Magic have beaten the 76ers in 17 of their last 20 games facing them and have won 2 of 3 this season.
The 76ers are not a high scoring team and to win they need to rely on their defense, which ranks 1st in the league in terms of opponents’ points allowed. Leading scorer Lou Williams has really struggled in the last couple of games and Jrue Holiday only has a grand total 14 points against Orlando this season. [soliloquy id=”82219″]
With all of the injuries for the Magic they will need good games from the guard trio of Jameer Nelson, J.J. Reddick, Jason Richardson and F Ryan Anderson. The Magic are one of the best 3-point shooting teams in the league and with their dominant center out they will need to hit the long ball tonight.
Also, without Howard the Magic have to man up and keep Spencer Hawes (7.6 rpg) and Elton Brand (7.3 rpg) from dominating in the paint and especially keep them off the glass.
In some betting trends for this Eastern Conference match up the 76ers are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 games as a favorite, 7-21 ATS in their last 28 games vs. a team with a winning S.U. record, and they have an Under record of 6-1 in their last 7 vs. a team with a winning S.U. record.
The Magic are 3-7 ATS in their last 10 games overall, 1-4 ATS in their last 5 home games, and they have an Over record of 4-1 in their last 5 home games.
Jason’s Pick: Both teams are not playing well and even on the road I think the 76ers will win and cover facing a beat up Magic squad.
