Tuesday Night NBA

By Divol

Orlando Magic v Boston Celtics



19th May 01:30 GMT
ESPN (01:30-04:30)

First of all, I think that both teams will enjoy this series no matter the outcome. Boston loves the physical, strong game and Orlando will enjoy finally having a competition. I believe that blowouts will be rare in this series, but Game 2 with Orlando coming after a home loss in Game 1 is the best chance for that. Still, there is a better bet that caught my eye and that is the Boston Under. I believe we will see almost all the games ending with an Under in this series. Both teams know how to defend and looking back on previous results, there is no reason to think otherwise.

In Game 1, Boston needed four made FT's in the final 12 seconds and a quarter of 33 points to score 92 points. Tonight, I just doubt we will see either of that. Also, those who believe in the Under need to remember that Magic scored only 88 points. I wouldn't suggest placing your money on Magic scoring below 95 points, so if the Under comes, it will probably be via Boston. I believe that final score like 98 - 87 sounds about right, maybe a bit bigger margin for Orlando 98 - 85.

The second main bet is Lewis +4.5 against Ray Allen. I'm still confident that Lewis will have a good series against Boston, despite a poor first game. I also believe that Allen will cool down a bit and that the combination of a Lewis poor game and Allen's great game made a really wrong line here.

A few small bets - Orlando -7 - backup bet for Boston's Under, in case that the game goes Over but Orlando still covers. Under 47 points in the 2nd quarter - statistics show that in all 5 games this year, teams have yet to cross this total. Can be voided, since teams made 47 points, but I doubt it will lose.  Howard Under 17.5 points - Howard will have a big game as well and it will probably be at home, but still, I will bet against him in most games if not all. He really struggles against Boston and it will be through the series, even if he will get the Over once or twice.



Picks:

Boston to score Under 91 points, 1.9 - 3 units play -

Under 47 points - 2nd quarter, 1.91 - 1.5 units play - 5Dimes

Orlando -7, 1.94 - 1.5 units play - Pinnacle

Howard to score Under 17.5 points - 2.00 odds - 2 units play - Bet-at-Home

Lewis +4.5 against Allen - 1.75 odds - 4 units play - Gamebookers

Divol