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Game 3 Lakers vs. Magic Trends/Odds

Article detailing a few of the revenge angles that will be in play for Tuesday’s Game 3 of the 2009 NBA Finals between the Lakers and the Magic…

NBA: GAME 3 BRINGS BIG-TIME REVENGE ANGLES

The Lakers and Magic meet up in Orlando tonight for Game 3 of the NBA Finals.

Judging by the numerous angles focused on the concept of revenge, we should expect the Magic to climb back into the series in a lower scoring game. Take a look at some of these revenge trends as we preview the game, then head on over to the NBA GAME MATCHUP page for more key betting information.

Orlando is a 4-1/2 point favorite, but according to the Sportsbook.com Betting Trends, only 52% of bettors are leaning that way, a low percentage for this magnitude of a game.

By now everyone knows the Lakers have a 2-0 lead, but if the Magic’s botched layup/missed goaltending call at the end of regulation had been scored; this series would be tied 1-1. That is all the difference in the world according to history, as only three teams have ever come back from this deficit to win the NBA Finals, most recently the Miami Heat in 2006.

The “comfortable” lead has not changed Kobe Bryant’s focus however. Bryant has a promise for Game 3 on Tuesday night.

“We’re about to kick it up,” he said. “You’d better believe it. We’re close. You see what I’m saying? This is the finals. We’re going to be ready to go.”

Courtney Lee missed a wide-open, alley-oop layup that would have won Game 2 at the fourth-quarter buzzer Sunday night. It was another chapter in a long history of Magic misery, one that now has them 0-6 in finals games.

Orlando has been able to come back from seemingly every heartbreak this season – injuries, four last-second losses in the playoffs and series deficits in two rounds; but this could be too tough a challenge.

“We’ve just got to go home and take care of business,” Magic center Dwight Howard said. “The Lakers did a good job of protecting their home, and now it’s our turn to do the same thing. We’ve been in some tough situations. We’ve just got to fight our way out.”

The Magic would need quite a turnaround. Their backcourt has been dreadful. Rafer Alston and Jameer Nelson, who returned for the finals after being out since early February because of shoulder surgery, were so inconsistent that Van Gundy benched them for most of the fourth quarter to have 6-foot-10 forward Hedo Turkoglu run the point.

The Magic had 20 turnovers, just 22 assists and no true ball handler to make the Lakers pay for double-teaming Howard.

Don’t consider the series over yet however. One of the streakiest teams in the league all season, Orlando has shot well at home. It plays with a carefree attitude, and Bryant says that’s reason to be wary.

“This is a very loosey-goosey team we’re playing against,” he said. “You seen some of the shots they hit.Online Sports Betting at Sportsbook Those are tough shots – supposed to be tough shots. For them it’s like shooting fish in a barrel. They’re just thinking about Game 3, and so are we.”

As mentioned in the opening, one of the key handicapping concepts backing the Magic for Game 3 is REVENGE.

Orlando boasts several Top StatFox Power Trends focused on this motivation.

Including the Game 2 Magic ATS win and UNDER result, here are a few of the revenge angles that will be in play for Tuesday’s Game 3:

* ORLANDO is 33-11 ATS (+20.9 Units) avenging a same season loss vs. opponent over the last 2 seasons. The average score was ORLANDO 102.2, OPPONENT 93.9 – (Rating = 3*)

* ORLANDO is 13-3 ATS (+9.7 Units) avenging 2 straight losses where opponents scored 100 or more points over the last 3 seasons. The average score was ORLANDO 100.9, OPPONENT 100.5 – (Rating = 1*)

* ORLANDO is 28-13 ATS (+13.7 Units) avenging a road loss vs. opponent over the last 2 seasons. The average score was ORLANDO 101.6, OPPONENT 95.0 – (Rating = 1*)

The Lakers have been a solid bet as a road dog though. Over the last two seasons, they are 24-12 ATS in that role.

In terms of the total, revenge for Orlando may also play a role in taking this game UNDER the posted number of 198.

* ORLANDO is 26-15 UNDER (+9.5 Units) avenging a road loss vs. an opponent over the last 2 seasons. The average score was ORLANDO 101.6, OPPONENT 95.0 – (Rating = 1*)

Tip time is set for 9:00 PM ET on ABC.

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By Cappers Picks

Articles on CappersPicks.com are written by Q (the Head Honcho) at Cappers Picks or by our resident "in house" handicapper Razor Ray Monohan! Enjoy the free picks folks! "Pad that bankroll one day at a time!"