NBA Handicapping Predictions – Magic vs Pacers
The Pacers came into this Eastern Conference playoff series as huge favorites since Dwight Howard is out, but now the Magic have home court advantage since they pulled off a big upset in Indiana in Game 1.
Venue/ Stadium Bankers Life Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, IN
Time/Date: 7:30 PM EST Monday, April 30, 2012
NCAA Odds From: Bovada
Moneyline: OFF
Spread (ATS): Pacers -9
Over/Under: 187.5
Orlando Magic vs. Indiana Pacers Preview
Even without their defensive stopper in Game 1 the Magic played solid D with the Pacers only shooting 34.5% from the floor and if that happens again they will be heading to the Sunshine State down 2-0.
In Game 1 in this series the Magic beat the Pacers 81-77.
This season the Magic are 35-32 ATS with an O/U record of 33-32-2 and the Pacers are 32-35 with an O/U record of 34-31-2.
The Magic slowed down the Pacers in Game 1 and if Indy can get out on the run and get easy buckets off the fast break they have a much better chance to even this series.
While Pacers’ 7’2″ C had a good game on D in Game 1 Ryan Anderson and Glen Davis manned up on him and he was only 3/11 from the field for 8 points and he has to use his size with Superman out and be more of a dominant offensive force.
Danny Granger was only 7/20 from the floor and he disappeared in the 4th quarter and that cannot happen again. He is the lading scorer for the Pacers and his offense will be sorely needed tonight.
The Pacers held the Magic to under 40% shooting in Game 1 so their D was solid, but they have to shoot the rock better from the field and the free throw line where they were only 13/22 in Game 1. [soliloquy id=”82219″]
Glen Davis, Jason Richardson, and Jameer Nelson all shot under 50% from the floor in Game 1, but combined for 50 points and the Pacers need to key on these guys. They cannot allow Richardson to hit 5 of his 8 3-pointers like he did in Game 1.
The Magic cannot rely on the Pacers to be as cold shooting like they were in Game 1 and Richardson will need some help in the long bombs, as in Game 1 Jameer Nelson, Ryan Anderson, and J.J. Reddick only hit on 2 of their 11 long bombs.
In some betting trends for this playoff game the Magic are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than 60%, 1 ATS in their last 5 games following a S.U. win, and they have an Under record of 5-2 in their last 7 games as a road underdog.
The Pacers are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 home games, 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games vs. a team with a winning S.U. record, and they have an Under record of 5-2 in their last 7 games following a S.U. loss.
Jason’s Pick: I think the Pacers will bounce back in this game and win, but the Magic will keep it close and cover the spread.
