NBA Handicapping Predictions – Magic vs Pacers
After losing Game 1 at home the Pacers have won the last 3 games in this series and now have the Magic on the brink of elimination.
Venue/ Stadium: Bankers Life Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, IN
Time/Date: 7 PM EST Tuesday, May 8, 2012
NCAA Odds From: Bovada
Moneyline: Magic +550 / Pacers -750
Spread (ATS): Packers -10.5
Over/Under: 179
Orlando Magic vs. Indiana Pacers Preview
The Magic only shot 40% from the floor in Game 4 and they must shoot better tonight and hit some 3-pointers for them to head back to the Sunshine State for Game 6. NBA lines have the Pacers as big 10.5-point favorites with a total of 179.
In Game 4 the Pacers beat the Magic 101-99 in OT.
This season the Magic are 36-34 ATS with an O/U record of 34-34-2 and the Pacers are 34-36 ATS with an O/U record of 35-33-2.
In the history of the NBA only 8 teams have been able to overcome a 3-1 deficit to win a playoff series.
Pacers’ PF David West is playing like his days when he was an All Star for the Hornets averaging 16.8 ppg and 10 rpg in this series and in Game 4 he went for 26 points and 12 boards. Ryan Anderson has struggled to guard him in this series and the Magic have to keep him from having a big game.
The Pacers blew a big lead playing weak defense in the 4th quarter of Game 4 and they cannot let that happen again. If the Pacers have a lead late they cannot let down against a Magic team that has already won in Indy in this series. [soliloquy id=”82219″]
In Game 4 every Magic starter scored in double figures, but Jameer Nelson and Ryan Anderson struggled with their shot. With Dwight Howard out the Magic need to lean on the long bomb more and unless they hit a solid 3-pt FG% tonight they will be heading home with the series over.
Indiana leading scorer Danny Granger sprained his knee in Game 4, but he practiced on Monday and should be in the lineup tonight.
While Glen Davis has been solid in the series the Magic simply have not shot the rock well. The Magic are shooting only 39% from the field and 33% from 3-point range in the series. It is pretty simple for Orlando tonight, as they must hit the jumper and Davis has to keep playing well and especially play solid D on Indy C Roy Hibbert now allowing him to have a big scoring and rebounding game.
In some betting trends for this Eastern Conference playoff match up the Magic are 2-8 ATS in their last 10 after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game, 4-9 ATS in their last 13 games following a S.U. loss, and they have an Under record of 4-0 in their last 4 road games.
The Pacers are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 games overall, 1-4 ATS in their last 5 home games, and they have an Under record of 4-1 in their last 5 games.
Jason’s Pick: The Pacers will win this game tonight and win the series, but even at home they will not cover the big 10.5-point spread. Take the Magic to cover the spread tonight.
