NBA Handicapping Predictions – Magic vs Knicks
The Knicks have a 2.5 game lead over the Bucks, who they beat in their last game, for 8th and final playoff spot in the East, but can they hold on? Amare Stoudemire is out, and may be for the season, and both Jeremy Lin and Carmelo Anthony are questionable for tonight’s game.
Venue/ Stadium: Amway Center, Orlando, FL
Time/Date: 8 PM EST Friday, March 30, 2012
NCAA Odds From: Bovada
Moneyline: OFF
Spread (ATS): Magic -5
Over/Under: 186.5
Dallas Mavericks vs. Orlando Magic Preview
The Mavs were spanked last night against the Heat in a finals’ rematch from last season and the Magic are also coming off an embarrassing loss getting crushed by the shorthanded New York Knicks. While Orlando is at home tonight they have lost 5 straight to the Mavs in their house.
Both teams have been around .500 for the last 8 games or so, but while the Magic’s playoff spot is secure the Mavs need to start winning since they are in 6th place in the West with a 1.5 game lead over the Jazz, Rockets, and Nuggets. NBA lines have the Magic as 5-point home favorites with a total of 186.5.
In their last games the Magic lost to the New York Knicks 108-86 and the Mavs lost to the Miami Heat 106-95.
This season the Mavs are 26-26 ATS with an O/U record of 25-27 and the Magic are 28-23 ATS with an O/U record of 24-25-2.
Both teams are led by their defense, as the Magic rank 4th in the league in opponents’ point allowed and the Mavs rank 6th. [soliloquy id=”82219″]
Even though Dallas has a solid defense they have given up an average of 104.2 ppg in their last 11 road games, 9 of which they have lost.
Dirk Nowitzki went for 25 points in the Heat game, but was 0/5 from the field in the 4th quarter, and is averaging 25.9 ppg in his last 9 games. He, Jason Terry, and Shaun Marrion will be counted on to score on the tough Orlando D and it is key that Dirk steps up when it matters, which he did not do in the loss to Miami.
One important match up in this game is who will match up with Superman Dwight Howard. Brendan Haywood was active in the Miami game, but did not play with a knee injury and if he cannot go it will be a big blow and Ian Mahinmi will have to step up and play well if the starting C can’t play. Howard has to get over his game against the Knicks where he only scored 12 points and a season low 5 rebounds.
The Magic feature one of the best 3-point shooting teams in the league with the likes of Ryan Anderson, who leads the league in 3-pointers made, Jason Richardson, and J.J. Reddick. The Mavs must play good perimeter D and not give these guys open looks from deep.
In some betting trends for this non-conference match up the Mavs are 6-13 ATS in their last 19 games overall, 3-8 ATS in their last 11 road games, and they have an Over record of 5-1 in their last 6 road games.
The Magic are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 home games, 6-0 ATS in their last 6 home games vs. a team with a losing road record, and they have an Over record of 11-5-2 in their last 18 home games.
Jason’s Pick: The Mavs are simply not a good road team this season and even though they have owned the Magic in their house in the last several games the Magic will end that trend tonight by winning and covering the spread.
