Written by :
Published on :
Here is your free pick on today's game between the Orlando Magic and Boston Celtics courtesy of Pregame.com.
The Orlando Magic host the Boston Celtics in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals. Boston won Game 1, so the Magic are already in must win status. The Magic are 7.5 favorites, with a total of 188 points tonight. ESPN will televise the game at 8:30 EDT.
Orlando was downright terrible in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals. The Magic only scored 32 PTS in the 1st half, easily showing the rust that they had for having such a long layoff. The Magic came back in the 4th quarter, yet ultimately lost 88-92. Orlando had nearly twice as many turnovers than assists, and only made 5 of their 22 three point attempts in Game 1. G Vince Carter was the only Magic player to score more than 20 PTS, as he had 23 PTS. Carter was the only starter that shot 50% or better in Game 1. C Dwight Howard and F Rashard Lewis combined to shoot 5 of 20 from the field in Game 1. Orlando will have to respond in a big way today, as the Celtics don't appear to be going anywhere. It's been more than 4 months since the Magic lost consecutive games. Orlando is 67-24 SU and 53-36-2 ATS overall this season. The Magic are 38-8 SU and 26-18-2 in home games this season. The Magic are 14-5 against Atlantic division teams this year. Orlando is also 7-2 ATS in the playoffs this year, as they've played great overall.
The Magic are 7-1 ATS in their last 8 games against a team with a winning SU record. The Under is 8-1 in their last 9 games against a team with a winning SU record.
Boston continues to show their dominance in the playoffs this year, as they are playing like a team on a mission. This is widely considered the last go around for this veteran nucleus, and they are playing with that sense of purpose. Boston dominated the Magic in Game 1, ultimately winning 92-88 outright as six point underdogs. The Celtics used a stifling defense against the Magic and C Dwight Howard in particular. The Celtics defense limited the Magic to only 41% shooting for the game. Boston has the defensive bodies to defend both Howard and the 3 point line efficiently, as Game 1 proved. G Ray Allen and F Paul Pierce combined to score 47 PTS in Game 1, including 4 three pointers and 15 made free throws. Those 15 made free throws by Allen and Pierce were only 4 less than the entire Magic team made in Game 1. F Rasheed Wallace came off the bench in Game 1 to score 13 PTS for Boston. The Celtics are 59-35 SU and 42-50-2 ATS overall this season. Boston is 30-17 SU and 25-21-1 ATS in road games this season overall, easily one of the best road records in the NBA. The Celtics are 9-3 ATS in the playoffs this season overall.
The Celtics are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games against a team with a winning percentage above .600%. The Under is 8-1 in their last 9 games against a team with a winning SU record.
Pregame.com projects the final score to be 102-93 in favor of the Orlando Magic. The Over 188 is the Total of the Day!
Johnny Detroit, Gambling911.com
